When to plant winter squash in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 7a–8b, so the right time to plant winter squash shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 23 in Norfolk to May 3 in Radford — below are local dates for 127 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 8b | March 29 | November 12 | April 5 – April 19 |
| Chesapeake | 8a | March 23 | November 18 | March 30 – April 13 |
| Arlington | 7b | March 24 | November 18 | March 31 – April 14 |
| Norfolk | 8b | March 16 | November 26 | March 23 – April 6 |
| Richmond | 7b | April 3 | November 4 | April 10 – April 24 |
| Newport News | 8a | April 1 | November 9 | April 8 – April 22 |
| Alexandria | 8a | March 24 | November 18 | March 31 – April 14 |
| Hampton | 8b | March 24 | November 15 | March 31 – April 14 |
Winter Squash in Virginia: FAQ
When can I plant winter squash in Virginia?
Across Virginia, the time to direct-sow winter squash spans roughly March 23 in Norfolk to May 3 in Radford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the winter squash planting date vary across Virginia?
Yes. Virginia publishes 127 cities with their own frost dates, so the right winter squash planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does winter squash take to grow in Virginia?
Winter Squash takes about 85–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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