Planting calendar for Virginia Beach, Virginia

Dates from 30 years of records at the Oceana NAS weather station, 4.0 miles from Virginia Beach, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Virginia Beach at a glance

Weather station: Oceana NAS · 4.0 mi
USDA zone: 8b
Last spring frost: typically Mar 29; 1 year in 10 after Apr 11
First fall frost: typically Nov 12; 1 year in 10 before Nov 1
Frost-free season: about 228 days
Hottest month: July: highs 87°F, nights 70°F
Coldest month: January: highs 50°F, nights 32°F
Rain: 47 in. a year, most in July, August and September

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Virginia Beach typically comes around Mar 29, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 11. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 12. That leaves about 228 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Virginia Beach gets about 47 inches of rain a year, most of it in July, August and September.

164 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 10 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Virginia Beach, month by month

January6

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Parsnip, Spinach

Can also plant

Mache (corn salad), Rutabaga, Shallot, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Catnip, Lavender, Lovage, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Statice, Stock

February18

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collard greens, Fava bean, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry

Flowers: Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Rutabaga, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

March65

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Rutabaga, Spinach, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Eggplant, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native)

April54

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Calendula, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sunflower

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May29

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pigeon pea, Purslane, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Culantro, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Papalo, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Celosia

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Ginger, Kohlrabi, Leek, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Salsify, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Turnip, Winter squash, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Epazote, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemongrass, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June22

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Peanut, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon, Celosia, Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leek, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower

July34

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Borage, Lemongrass

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Moringa, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Basil, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August51

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Chervil, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Ground cherry, Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Stock, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

September34

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Mache (corn salad), Spinach

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

October14

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garden cress, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

November12

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

December10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Virginia Beach

164 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 2–16, Aug 25–Sep 14	May 17–Aug 24	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 15–29, Jul 24–Aug 13	Apr 30–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 15–29	—	Jan 11–25	Set out plants
Arugula	Feb 25–Apr 10, Sep 5–Oct 5	Feb 15–24, Apr 11–30, Jul 21–Sep 4	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 1–29	Mar 30–Apr 26	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 15–29, Aug 7–28	Apr 30–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 15–29, Jul 3–24	Apr 30–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 2–16, Jul 9–29	May 17–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 15–29, Jul 28–Aug 18	Apr 30–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 1–22, Aug 23–Sep 13	Mar 23–May 9, Jun 24–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 15–29, Jul 26–Aug 16	Apr 30–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 15–Apr 6	Apr 7–20, Aug 7–Sep 6	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 19–Jun 2	Jun 3–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 1–15, Aug 16–Sep 5	Mar 16–Apr 17, Jul 14–Aug 15	Jan 18–Feb 1, Jul 5–25	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 1–Apr 4, Sep 1–23	Apr 5–22, Jul 24–Aug 31	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Jan 21–Feb 16, Sep 6–Dec 31	Feb 17–Mar 21, Jun 8–Sep 5, Jan 1–20	Jul 26–Nov 19, Dec 10–Jan 5	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 22–Mar 8, Aug 3–24	Mar 9–Apr 21, Jun 20–Aug 2	Jan 11–25, Jun 22–Jul 13	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 18–Jun 1	Jun 2–30	Mar 16–30	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 8–29, Aug 13–Sep 3	Mar 30–May 2, Jun 16–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 8–22, Aug 2–22	Mar 23–Apr 22, Jul 15–Aug 1	Jan 25–Feb 8, Jun 21–Jul 11	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Mar 15–29, Jun 29–Jul 20	Mar 30–Apr 8, May 10–Jun 28	Apr 13–May 4, Dec 28–Jan 11	Set out plants
Celery	Mar 28–Apr 11, Jun 25–Jul 16	Apr 12–14, May 24–Jun 24	Jan 10–24, Apr 9–30	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Mar 10–24	Mar 25–Apr 28	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 8–29, Aug 21–Sep 10	Mar 30–May 18, Jun 7–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Jan 17–Mar 15, Sep 1–Jan 3	Jan 4–16, Mar 16–Aug 31	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 15–29, Jul 31–Aug 21	Apr 30–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 15–29, Jul 29–Aug 18	Apr 30–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 8–22, Aug 23–Sep 13	Mar 23–Apr 14, Aug 7–22	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 2–16, Jul 11–31	May 17–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 2–16, Jul 14–Aug 3	May 17–Jul 13	Feb 28–Mar 14, May 12–Jun 1	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 22–Nov 26	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Mar 8–20	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Feb 15–Mar 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 15–29, Aug 7–15	Mar 30–Apr 5	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 15–Apr 23, Sep 17–Oct 9	Apr 24–May 14, Aug 6–Sep 16	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 11–Jul 9	May 19–Jun 10, Jul 10–14	Apr 23–May 21	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 1–15	Mar 16–Apr 26	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Jan 21–Mar 13, Sep 14–Dec 31	Mar 14–May 9, Jun 23–Sep 13, Jan 1–20	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 1–15, Aug 31–Sep 20	Mar 16–May 11, Jul 13–Aug 30	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Mar 29–Apr 16, Aug 16–Sep 28	Apr 17–25, Jun 23–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Jan 19–Feb 21, Aug 22–Jan 2	Jan 3–18, Feb 22–Apr 7, May 7–Aug 21	Jun 20–Oct 31, Nov 17–Dec 20	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 1–Apr 7, Aug 30–Sep 25	Apr 8–23, Jul 13–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 8–Apr 4, Aug 21–Sep 8	Apr 5–14, Jul 15–Aug 20	Feb 1–28, Jul 17–Aug 4	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 19–Jun 2	Jun 3–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Feb 4–Mar 1, Oct 2–Dec 22	Mar 2–Apr 3, Aug 31–Oct 1, Dec 23–Feb 3	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 19–Jun 2	Jun 3–Jul 14	Mar 31–Apr 14	Set out plants
Moringa	May 19–Jun 2	Jun 3–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Feb 19–Apr 3, Sep 9–Oct 3	Feb 15–18, Apr 4–27, Jul 30–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Mar 15–Apr 6, Aug 10–Sep 3	Apr 7–10, Jun 28–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 15–29, Jul 31–Aug 20	Apr 30–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 19–Jun 2	Jun 3–Jul 14	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 19–Jun 2, Jul 29–Aug 18	Jun 3–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Feb 15–Mar 24, Jun 14–Jul 8, Jul 11–30	Mar 25–Jun 13, Jul 9–10	Mar 29–Apr 22, Apr 25–May 14, Nov 30–Jan 6	Set out plants
Parsnip	Jan 18–Feb 19, Aug 21–Jan 3	Jan 4–17, Feb 20–Apr 5, May 3–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Feb 15–Mar 1, Aug 21–Sep 10	Mar 2–Apr 22, Jul 15–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Feb 15–Mar 1, Aug 21–Sep 10	Mar 2–Apr 20, Jul 13–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 19–Jun 7	—	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 22–May 6, Jul 6–27	May 7–Jul 5	Feb 18–Mar 4, May 4–25	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 15–29, Jul 16–Aug 6	Apr 30–Jul 15	Feb 11–25, May 14–Jun 4	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 19–25	—	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Apr 15–22	Apr 23–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Mar 6–29, Jun 28–Jul 26	Mar 1–5, Mar 30–Apr 21, Jun 4–27	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 15–29, Jun 11–Jul 2	Apr 30–Jun 10	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 2–16, Aug 6–27	May 17–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 1–8	Mar 9–28	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 3–Apr 18, Sep 17–Oct 17	Feb 22–Mar 2, Apr 19–May 12, Aug 4–Sep 16	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 1–17	Mar 18–Apr 2	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Sep 23–Dec 26	Aug 20–Sep 22, Dec 27–Mar 10	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Mar 8–28, Jun 9–30	Apr 11–Jun 8	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 19–Jun 2, Jun 9–29	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Jan 31–Mar 14, Aug 8–Dec 25	Mar 15–Aug 7, Dec 26–Jan 30	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 19–Jun 2, Jul 11–Aug 1	Jun 3–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Jan 24–Mar 5, Oct 2–Dec 30	Mar 6–Apr 24, Aug 7–Oct 1, Dec 31–Jan 23	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 15–29, Aug 3–23	Apr 30–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Mar 28–Apr 18	Mar 8–27, Apr 19	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 15–22, Jul 16–Aug 5	Apr 23–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 10–Jul 2	May 19–Jun 9	Apr 22–May 14	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 8–29, Aug 28–Sep 18	Mar 30–Aug 27	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 15–29	Apr 30–Aug 3	Mar 4–18	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 15–29, Jul 31–Aug 20	Apr 30–Jul 30	Feb 25–Mar 11, Jun 12–Jul 2	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 5–12, Aug 5–25	Apr 13–Aug 4	Feb 15–22, Jun 17–Jul 7	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 2–16, Jul 18–Aug 8	May 17–Jul 17	Mar 14–28, May 30–Jun 20	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 15–29, Jul 18–Aug 8	Apr 30–Jul 17	Feb 25–Mar 11, May 30–Jun 20	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 15–29, Jul 16–Aug 5	Apr 30–Jul 15	Feb 25–Mar 11, May 28–Jun 17	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 1–15, Sep 2–23	Mar 16–May 11, Jul 12–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 8–22	Mar 23–May 3	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 19–Jun 2	Jun 3–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 2–16, Jun 11–Jul 2	May 17–Jun 10	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 15–29, Jun 21–Jul 12	Apr 30–Jun 20	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 19–Jun 2, Jul 16–Aug 6	Jun 3–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 12–Mar 12	Set out plants
Basil	May 2–9, Jul 29–Aug 18	May 10–Jul 28	Mar 28–Apr 4, Jun 24–Jul 14	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 8–Mar 8	Set out plants
Borage	Mar 22–Apr 23, Jul 16–Sep 4	Apr 24–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 8–22, Aug 3–24	Mar 23–Apr 24, Jun 3–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 15–Apr 5	Apr 6–26	Jan 25–Feb 15	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 1–15, Aug 18–Sep 8	Mar 16–May 4, Jun 22–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 8–Apr 1, Sep 3–23	Apr 2–20, Aug 7–Sep 2	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 8–Mar 8	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 15–Apr 4, Aug 23–Sep 15	Apr 5–17, Jul 22–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 30–Jun 27	May 2–29	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 19–Jun 2	Jun 3–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 15–22, Aug 19–Sep 9	Mar 23–May 16, Jul 2–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 15–29, Aug 12–Sep 2	Apr 30–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Mar 29–Apr 18, Aug 25–Sep 21	Apr 19–30, Jul 19–Aug 24	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 22–Apr 19	Apr 20–May 17	Feb 1–Mar 1	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 8–Mar 8	Set out plants
Lavender	Apr 5–28	Apr 29–May 24	Jan 18–Feb 10	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 15–Apr 5	Apr 6–26	Feb 8–Mar 1	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Apr 30–May 24	Apr 5–29	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 10–Jul 8	May 19–Jun 9, Jul 9–14	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 15–Apr 5	Apr 6–26	Jan 25–Feb 15	Set out plants
Marjoram	Apr 18–May 8	Apr 5–17, May 9–24	Feb 28–Mar 20	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 15–Apr 5	Apr 6–26	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 8–Mar 8	Set out plants
Papalo	May 2–16	May 17–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 8–22, Aug 3–24	Mar 23–Aug 2	Jan 4–18, Jun 1–22	Set out plants
Rosemary	Apr 5–28	Apr 29–May 24	Jan 18–Feb 10	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 22–Apr 19	Apr 20–May 17	Feb 1–Mar 1	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 15–22	Apr 23–Aug 15	Mar 11–18	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 8–Apr 5	Apr 6–May 3	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 27–Jun 20	May 2–26	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Mar 29–Apr 12	Apr 13–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 1–Mar 1	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 13–Jun 10	Apr 15–May 12	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	Feb 8–Mar 8	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 22–Mar 15	Mar 16–Apr 26	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 1–Mar 8	Mar 9–Apr 19	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 2–16, Jul 4–24	May 17–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 15–29	Apr 30–Aug 8	Mar 11–25	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 8–Apr 5	Apr 6–May 17	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 1–29	Mar 30–Apr 12	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 15–29	Apr 30–Aug 13	Feb 25–Mar 11	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Mar 8–29	Mar 30–Apr 19	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 1–25	Mar 26–Apr 19	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 1–29	Mar 30–Apr 26	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 2–16, Jul 1–22	May 17–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 21–Aug 21	Apr 15–Jun 20, Aug 22–Sep 2	Apr 12–Jun 12	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 1–31, Aug 14–Sep 5	Apr 1–14, Jul 6–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 6–Aug 5	Mar 29–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 15–Apr 14, Aug 10–Sep 20	Apr 15–May 12, Jun 26–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 1–31, Aug 14–Sep 5	Apr 1–14, Jul 6–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 19–26, Jul 6–27	May 27–Jul 5	Mar 31–Apr 7, May 18–Jun 8	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 29–Jul 23	Apr 15–May 28, Jul 24–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 1–26	Mar 27–Apr 21	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 4–Jul 25	May 2–Jun 3, Jul 26–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 4–Jul 25	May 2–Jun 3, Jul 26–Aug 13	Apr 16–Jun 6	Set out plants
Larkspur	Sep 17–Dec 25	Aug 7–Sep 16, Dec 26–Mar 19	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 18–Aug 18	Apr 15–Jun 17, Aug 19–28	Apr 30–Jun 30	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Apr 4–May 2	Mar 29–Apr 3, May 3–24	Feb 28–Mar 28	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Apr 10–23, Jul 22–Sep 2	Mar 29–Apr 9, Apr 24–May 13, Jun 28–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 15–Mar 8, Sep 15–Oct 5	Mar 9–Apr 18, Aug 20–Sep 14	Jun 30–Jul 20, Nov 30–Dec 21	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 19–Aug 11	May 19–Jun 18, Aug 12–Sep 2	Apr 17–Jun 9	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Mar 29–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 24	Jan 11–Feb 8	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 1–15, Aug 7–14	—	Jun 5–12, Dec 28–Jan 11	Set out plants
Statice	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 4–25	Apr 13–Aug 3	Jan 25–Feb 8, Jun 2–23	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 15–29, Sep 2–23	Mar 30–Apr 20, Aug 7–Sep 1	Jan 11–25, Jul 1–22	Set out plants
Strawflower	Mar 29–Apr 12, Aug 12–Sep 1	Apr 13–Aug 11	Feb 8–22, Jun 24–Jul 14	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 6–Jul 28	Apr 15–Jun 5, Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 8–Apr 13, Aug 14–Sep 22	Apr 14–May 13, Jun 28–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 15–Mar 15	Mar 16–26	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 5–Jul 27	May 2–Jun 4, Jul 28–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Virginia Beach

These need a climate Virginia Beach doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 228 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 228 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 228 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Washington, DC 152 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Baltimore, MD 172 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Wilmington, DE 201 mi · last frost around Apr 7
Philadelphia, PA 219 mi · last frost around Mar 30
Newark, NJ 285 mi · last frost around Apr 4
All Virginia cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Oceana NAS station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).