When to plant in Suffolk, VA
USDA Zone 8aSuffolk, 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 8a, Suffolk supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
SUFFOLK LAKE KILBY · 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 Suffolk’s own odds, recorded at SUFFOLK LAKE KILBY.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 20 | Apr 6 | Mar 23 | Oct 23 | Nov 3 | Nov 16 |
| 32°F | Apr 9 | Mar 27 | Mar 10 | Nov 2 | Nov 15 | Dec 1 |
| 28°F | Mar 30 | Mar 15 | Feb 24 | Nov 11 | Dec 1 | Dec 22 |
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 Suffolk, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 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.
Suffolk planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Suffolk, VA?
On average, the last spring frost in Suffolk is around March 27 (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 Suffolk, VA?
Expect Suffolk's first fall frost near November 15 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Suffolk in?
Suffolk is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Suffolk?
Suffolk has about 233 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 27) and first fall frost (November 15).
When should I plant tomatoes in Suffolk?
For Suffolk, sow tomatoes indoors about January 30–February 13 and move the seedlings out around April 3, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Suffolk
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Suffolk’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Chesapeake · 30 km
- Portsmouth · 31 km
- Norfolk · 43 km
- Newport News · 43 km
- Hampton · 49 km
- Virginia Beach · 55 km
- Poquoson · 56 km
- Elizabeth City · 57 km
Frost dates recorded at SUFFOLK LAKE KILBY, 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 Suffolk, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00448192. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/suffolk.