When to plant in Williamsburg, VA
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Williamsburg, Virginia — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Williamsburg, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
WILLIAMSBURG 2 N · 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 Williamsburg’s own odds, recorded at WILLIAMSBURG 2 N.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 1 | Apr 12 | Mar 28 | Oct 21 | Nov 1 | Nov 12 |
| 32°F | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | Mar 15 | Oct 29 | Nov 10 | Nov 26 |
| 28°F | Apr 4 | Mar 20 | Feb 28 | Nov 7 | Nov 23 | Dec 13 |
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 Williamsburg, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 30 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.
Williamsburg planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Williamsburg, VA?
Williamsburg's average last spring frost falls near March 31 — 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 Williamsburg, VA?
The first fall frost in Williamsburg typically arrives around November 10 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Williamsburg in?
Williamsburg is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Williamsburg?
There are roughly 224 frost-free days in Williamsburg (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 31 to the first fall frost near November 10.
When should I plant tomatoes in Williamsburg?
In Williamsburg, start tomato seeds indoors around February 3–February 17, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Williamsburg
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Williamsburg’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Gloucester Point · 19 km
- Newport News · 27 km
- Poquoson · 39 km
- Hampton · 44 km
- Hopewell · 52 km
- Portsmouth · 55 km
- Norfolk · 56 km
- Colonial Heights · 61 km
Frost dates recorded at WILLIAMSBURG 2 N, 4 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 Williamsburg, VA — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00449151. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/virginia/williamsburg.