Ezina · A Field Manual for Plant Care · United States Vol. I · Ed. 2027 · Proof copy

§ When to plant · Virginia · Checked Sept 2026

When to plant vegetables in Virginia

In Virginia Beach, tender crops like tomatoes and peppers can go out around April 13, and frost has historically passed 9 years in 10 by April 27. Cool-season crops go in from February, and again from July for fall.

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§ 010 · Frost dates

Frost dates across Virginia

Based on NOAA's 1991–2020 station records, with adjustments for tender crops.

City · NOAA stationLast frost, on averagePlant tender crops fromFrost is over, 9 of 10 years byFall frost possible from
AlexandriaWASHINGTON REAGAN AIRPORT · 5 kmMar 24Apr 4April 4Apr 14Nov 5
BlacksburgBLACKSBURG NWSO · 3 kmApr 24May 9May 9May 24Oct 6
CharlottesvilleCHARLOTTESVILLE 2W · 3 kmApr 2Apr 15April 15Apr 28Oct 29
ChesapeakeFENTRESS NAAS · 15 kmMar 23Apr 5April 5Apr 18Nov 4
DanvilleDANVILLE 2 SOUTHEAST · 5 kmApr 8Apr 23April 23May 8Oct 19
FredericksburgFREDERICKSBURG SEWAGE · 3 kmApr 6Apr 22April 22May 8Oct 19
HamptonLANGLEY AFB · 6 kmMar 24Apr 6April 6Apr 18Nov 3
HarrisonburgDALE ENTERPRISE · 6 kmApr 21May 5May 5May 19Oct 9
LeesburgPURCELLVILLE · 14 kmApr 16May 3May 3May 20Oct 7
LynchburgLYNCHBURG #2 · 4 kmApr 17May 1May 1May 15Oct 12
ManassasMANASSAS · 2 kmApr 12Apr 26April 26May 10Oct 13
Newport NewsNEWPORT NEWS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT · 7 kmApr 1Apr 17April 17May 3Oct 31
NorfolkNORFOLK NAS · 5 kmMar 16Mar 29March 29Apr 10Nov 8
PetersburgPETERSBURG · 4 kmApr 3Apr 19April 19May 4Oct 21
PortsmouthNORFOLK S · 11 kmMar 23Apr 5April 5Apr 18Nov 4
RichmondRICHMOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT · 14 kmApr 3Apr 18April 18May 3Oct 23
RoanokeROANOKE REGIONAL AIRPORT · 5 kmApr 3Apr 20April 20May 7Oct 18
SuffolkSUFFOLK LAKE KILBY · 5 kmMar 27Apr 8April 8Apr 20Nov 2
Virginia BeachOCEANA NAS · 4 kmMar 29Apr 13April 13Apr 27Nov 1
WinchesterWINCHESTER · 3 kmApr 11Apr 26April 26May 11Oct 14

Virginia's 20 largest cities (U.S. Census Bureau 2025 estimates), A to Z, each with its nearest NOAA station and the distance to it. Search any town to get its nearest station. "Plant tender crops from" is halfway between the average last frost and the date frost is over 9 years in 10; if frost is in the forecast after it, wait until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

§ 020 · What to plant

What to plant in Virginia, and when

Planting windows from Virginia's Cooperative Extension Service. Filter by season or crop group; every view has its own link.

Region
Season
Crops
  • Dark green: fall planting window
  • Light green: spring and summer planting window
  • TenderKilled by frost: spring planting from the "plant tender crops from" date for your city

§ 030 · Crop by crop

Planting in Virginia

Each crop has its own link, like #tomatoes. Tender crops wait for the frost dates above; succession crops are sown again every few weeks for a steady harvest.

  • Dark green: fall planting window
  • Light green: spring and summer planting window

Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Perennial
Asparagus
Photo by Evelyn Simak / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Apr–May.
Zone 6b: plant Apr–May.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–Apr.
Zone 7b: plant Mar–Apr.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Beets

Beta vulgaris

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Beets
Photo by W.carter / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Apr–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7b: plant Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.

Ready in about 58 days; sow again every 6 weeks.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Broccoli
Photo by Kolforn / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 6b: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Feb–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 65 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Brussels sprouts

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Brussels sprouts
Photo by Nick Saltmarsh / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants Jul–Aug.
Zone 6b: set out transplants Jul–Aug.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Aug.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Aug.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Aug–Sep.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Aug.

Ready in about 130 days from seed, 100 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cabbage

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Cabbage
Photo by Biswarup Ganguly / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 6b: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Feb–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 80 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cantaloupe

Cucumis melo

Tender
Cantaloupe
Photo by Seth Vidal / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Jul.

Ready in about 80 days from seed, 70 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Carrots

Daucus carota

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Carrots
Photo by Evan-Amos / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–Apr, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 7b: plant Mar–Apr, and again Jul–Sep.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.

Ready in about 70 days; sow again every 7 weeks.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Cauliflower
Photo by Coyau / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 6b: set out transplants Apr, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Mar, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Feb–Mar, and again Aug–Sep.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 68 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Chinese cabbage

Brassica rapa

Cool season
Chinese cabbage
Photo by Drab Makyo / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 6b: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.

Ready in about 75 days from seed, 60 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Cucumbers

Cucumis sativus

TenderSuccession sow
Cucumbers
Photo by Stephen Ausmus, USDA ARS / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Aug.

Ready in about 58 days from seed, 50 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Eggplant

Solanum melongena

Tender
Eggplant
Photo by Billjones94 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants May–Jun.
Zone 6b: set out transplants May–Jul.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Apr–Jul.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Apr–Aug.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Apr–Aug.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Garlic

Allium sativum

Cool seasonOverwinters
Garlic
Photo by Billjones94 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Sep–Oct.
Zone 6b: plant Sep–Oct.
Zone 7a: plant Oct.
Zone 7b: plant Oct.
Zone 8a: plant Oct–Nov.
Zone 8b: plant Oct–Nov.

Ready in about 240 days.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Green beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

TenderSuccession sow
Green beans
Photo by Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Jul, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Jul, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Jul, and again Jul, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 8b: plant Mar–Jul, and again Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Aug, and again Jul–Sep.

Ready in about 65 days; sow again every 5 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Kohlrabi

Brassica oleracea

Cool season
Kohlrabi
Photo by Unknown author / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Apr–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–May, and again Jul–Sep.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7b: plant Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.

Ready in about 55 days from seed, 45 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Leeks

Allium ampeloprasum

Cool season
Leeks
Photo by Raysonho / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 6b: set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Apr–Jul.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Apr–Jul.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Mar–Apr.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Feb–Apr.

Ready in about 130 days from seed, 100 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Lettuce
Photo by Geo Lightspeed7 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Apr–Jun, and again Aug–Sep; set out transplants Apr–Jun, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 6b: plant Apr–May, and again Aug–Sep; set out transplants Apr–May, and again Jul–Sep.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Oct; set out transplants Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7b: plant Mar–May, and again Sep–Oct; set out transplants Mar–May, and again Aug–Oct.
Zone 8a: plant Mar–May, and again Sep–Oct; set out transplants Mar–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–May, and again Sep–Oct; set out transplants Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.

Ready in about 45 days from seed, 30 from transplants; sow again every 6 weeks.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Lima beans

Phaseolus lunatus

Tender
Lima beans
Photo by Jud McCranie / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Sep.

Ready in about 75 days. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Mustard greens

Brassica juncea

Cool season
Mustard greens
Photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Oct.
Zone 7b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Aug–Oct.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.

Ready in about 45 days.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus

Tender
Okra
Photo by Pedro Acevedo-Rodriguez / CC0 / Smithsonian Open Access / via USDA PLANTS

Zone 6a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Aug.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Aug.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 55 days from seed, 45 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Onions

Allium cepa

Cool season
Onions
Photo by Stephen Ausmus, USDA ARS / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Mar–May.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–May.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–May.
Zone 7b: plant Feb–Apr.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Peas

Pisum sativum

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Peas
Photo by David Adam Kess / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Mar–Apr.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–Apr.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–Apr.
Zone 7b: plant Feb–Apr.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr.

Ready in about 65 days; sow again every 5 weeks.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Peppers

Capsicum annuum

Tender
Peppers
Photo by Kham Tran - www.khamtran.com / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants May–Jul.
Zone 6b: set out transplants May–Jul.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Apr–Jul.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Apr–Aug.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Apr–Aug.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 70 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Potatoes

Solanum tuberosum

Cool season
Potatoes
Photo by Howard, R.A / Public domain / Smithsonian Institution, Richard A. Howard Photograph Collection / via USDA PLANTS

Zone 6a: plant Apr–Jun.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–Jun.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–May.
Zone 7b: plant Mar–May.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr.

Ready in about 100 days.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Pumpkins

Cucurbita pepo

Tender
Pumpkins
Photo by HalfGig / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Jul.

Ready in about 110 days from seed, 95 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Radishes

Raphanus sativus

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Radishes
Photo by Rasbak / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Oct.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Oct.
Zone 7b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.

Ready in about 28 days; sow again every 3 weeks.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Rutabagas

Brassica napus

Cool season
Rutabagas
Photo by Seedambassadors / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Jul–Aug.
Zone 6b: plant Jul–Aug.
Zone 7a: plant Aug.
Zone 7b: plant Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: plant Aug–Sep.
Zone 8b: plant Aug–Sep.

Ready in about 95 days.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Southern peas

Vigna unguiculata

Tender
Southern peas
Photo by Jud McCranie / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Jun–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant May–Aug.
Zone 7b: plant May–Aug.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Aug.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 65 days. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Spinach
Photo by Victor M. Vicente Selvas / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Oct.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Oct.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 7b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Mar, and again Sep–Nov.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Mar, and again Sep–Nov.

Ready in about 42 days; sow again every 5 weeks.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Summer squash

Cucurbita pepo

TenderSuccession sow
Summer squash
Photo by INRA DIST from France / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jun, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 7a: plant Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Sep.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Sep.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Sep.

Ready in about 50 days from seed, 40 from transplants; sow again every 7 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Sweet corn

Zea mays

TenderSuccession sow
Sweet corn
Photo by Royalbroil / CC BY-SA 2.5 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Aug.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Aug.
Zone 8b: plant Mar–Aug.

Ready in about 78 days; sow again every 6 weeks. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Sweet potatoes

Ipomoea batatas

Tender
Sweet potatoes
Photo by Howard, R.A / Public domain / Smithsonian Institution, Richard A. Howard Photograph Collection / via USDA PLANTS

Zone 6a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant May–Jul.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Jul.

Ready in about 100 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Swiss chard

Beta vulgaris

Cool season
Swiss chard
Photo by Neelix / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Apr–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–May, and again Jul–Sep.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7b: plant Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr, and again Aug–Oct.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Aug–Oct.

Ready in about 55 days from seed, 40 from transplants.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Tomatoes

Solanum lycopersicum

Tender
Tomatoes
Photo by Michal Klajban / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: set out transplants May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 6b: set out transplants May–Jun, and again Jun–Jul.
Zone 7a: set out transplants Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 7b: set out transplants Apr–Jun, and again Jun–Aug.
Zone 8a: set out transplants Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Aug.
Zone 8b: set out transplants Apr–Jul, and again Jul–Aug.

Ready in about 75 days from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Turnips

Brassica rapa

Cool seasonSuccession sow
Turnips
Photo by thebittenword.com / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant Apr–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 6b: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7a: plant Mar–May, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 7b: plant Mar–Apr, and again Aug–Sep.
Zone 8a: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.
Zone 8b: plant Feb–Apr, and again Sep–Oct.

Ready in about 50 days; sow again every 5 weeks.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

Tender
Watermelon
Photo by F ASTILY / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Zone 6a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Aug.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 85 days from seed, 75 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

Winter squash

Cucurbita moschata

Tender
Winter squash
Photo by Howard, R.A / Public domain / Smithsonian Institution, Richard A. Howard Photograph Collection / via USDA PLANTS

Zone 6a: plant May–Jul.
Zone 6b: plant May–Jul.
Zone 7a: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 7b: plant Apr–Jul.
Zone 8a: plant Apr–Aug.
Zone 8b: plant Apr–Aug.

Ready in about 95 days from seed, 80 from transplants. Tender: in spring, from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, hold off until it passes and nights stay above 36°F.

Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University), Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant. Days to harvest: Ezina crop catalog, from state extension guides.

§ 040 · Questions

Questions about planting in Virginia

When is the last frost in Virginia?

On average from about March 16 in Norfolk to April 24 in Blacksburg. Frost is over 9 years in 10 by April 10 to May 24.

When can I plant tomatoes in Virginia?

The extension service lists April to August. Tomatoes are frost-tender, so Ezina dates them from about April 13 in Virginia Beach. If frost is in the forecast, wait until it passes.

What can I plant in Virginia in October?

The extension calendar lists beets, garlic, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard greens, radishes and more for October.

Is it too late for a fall garden?

The latest fall windows on the calendar close in November. Filter by Fall above to see what is still open.

Why not use my USDA zone?

A zone is the coldest winter night, not a frost date. These dates come from NOAA station records and the extension service.

Can Ezina date plantings for my address?

Yes. Run Ezina Dig on your address and your bed plans are dated from that site's own frost records, on iPhone and Android in the contiguous U.S.

Changes

29 Sept 2026: page published.

Sources

Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech (and Virginia State University): Virginia's Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant.

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station freeze probabilities. U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates and 2020 place gazetteer. Days to harvest and re-sowing intervals: Ezina's crop catalog, compiled from state Cooperative Extension guides. Photos: Wikimedia Commons and USDA PLANTS, credited under each photo. Checked Sept 2026.