When to plant in Portsmouth, VA
USDA Zone 8bPortsmouth, Virginia frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 8b, Portsmouth supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
NORFOLK S · 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 Portsmouth’s own odds, recorded at NORFOLK S.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 18 | Apr 5 | Mar 22 | Oct 27 | Nov 6 | Nov 19 |
| 32°F | Apr 6 | Mar 23 | Mar 7 | Nov 4 | Nov 16 | Dec 1 |
| 28°F | Mar 26 | Mar 10 | Feb 19 | Nov 14 | Dec 1 | Dec 25 |
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 Portsmouth, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 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.
Portsmouth planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Portsmouth, VA?
On average, the last spring frost in Portsmouth is around March 23 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Portsmouth, VA?
Expect Portsmouth's first fall frost near November 16 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Portsmouth in?
Portsmouth is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth has about 238 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 23) and first fall frost (November 16).
When should I plant tomatoes in Portsmouth?
For Portsmouth, sow tomatoes indoors about January 26–February 9 and move the seedlings out around March 30, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Portsmouth
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Portsmouth’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Norfolk · 12 km
- Chesapeake · 21 km
- Hampton · 22 km
- Newport News · 28 km
- Poquoson · 30 km
- Virginia Beach · 31 km
- Suffolk · 31 km
- Gloucester Point · 47 km
Frost dates recorded at NORFOLK S, 11 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 Portsmouth, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00446147. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/portsmouth.