When to plant in Alexandria, VA
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Alexandria, Virginia — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Alexandria, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
WASHINGTON REAGAN AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Alexandria’s own odds, recorded at WASHINGTON REAGAN AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 14 | Apr 3 | Mar 20 | Oct 26 | Nov 6 | Nov 20 |
| 32°F | Apr 6 | Mar 24 | Mar 7 | Nov 5 | Nov 18 | Dec 6 |
| 28°F | Mar 26 | Mar 12 | Feb 23 | Nov 14 | Dec 3 | Dec 24 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Alexandria, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Alexandria planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Alexandria, VA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Alexandria around March 24 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Alexandria, VA?
The first fall frost in Alexandria typically arrives around November 18 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Alexandria in?
Alexandria is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Alexandria?
There are roughly 239 frost-free days in Alexandria (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 24 to the first fall frost near November 18.
When should I plant tomatoes in Alexandria?
In Alexandria, start tomato seeds indoors around January 27–February 10, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 31 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Alexandria
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Alexandria’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Huntington · 3 km
- Rose Hill · 4 km
- Bailey's Crossroads · 5 km
- Lincolnia · 6 km
- Arlington · 7 km
- Lake Barcroft · 7 km
- Groveton · 8 km
- Hybla Valley · 8 km
Frost dates recorded at WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, 5 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Alexandria, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013743. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/alexandria.