When to plant in Newport News, VA
USDA Zone 8aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Newport News, Virginia — all computed from Newport News's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Newport News, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
NEWPORT NEWS INTL 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 Newport News’s own odds, recorded at NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 3 | Apr 15 | Mar 31 | Oct 20 | Oct 31 | Nov 11 |
| 32°F | Apr 18 | Apr 1 | Mar 18 | Oct 31 | Nov 9 | Nov 25 |
| 28°F | Apr 4 | Mar 20 | Mar 2 | Nov 5 | Nov 20 | Dec 8 |
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 Newport News, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 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.
Newport News planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Newport News, VA?
Newport News's average last spring frost falls near April 1 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Newport News, VA?
The first fall frost in Newport News typically arrives around November 9 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Newport News in?
Newport News is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Newport News?
There are roughly 222 frost-free days in Newport News (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around April 1 to the first fall frost near November 9.
When should I plant tomatoes in Newport News?
In Newport News, start tomato seeds indoors around February 4–February 18, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 8 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Newport News
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Newport News’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Hampton · 20 km
- Poquoson · 20 km
- Gloucester Point · 22 km
- Williamsburg · 27 km
- Portsmouth · 28 km
- Norfolk · 30 km
- Suffolk · 43 km
- Chesapeake · 48 km
Frost dates recorded at NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, 7 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 Newport News, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093741. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/newport-news.