Knowing the best planting times for your garden in Virginia is the key to a successful harvest and vibrant blooms. This guide will walk you through when to plant in Virginia for vegetables, flowers, and more, tailored to our unique state climate.
Virginia’s gardening zones range from 5b in the mountains to 8a along the coast, creating a long but variable growing season. Frost dates are your most important calendar mark. On average, the last spring frost can be as early as late March in Tidewater and as late as mid-May in the higher elevations. The first fall frost typically arrives from early October in the mountains to mid-November near the coast.
When to Plant in Virginia – Best Planting Times for
To make sense of it all, we break the year into three main planting windows: cool-season spring, warm-season summer, and cool-season fall. Each has its own star performers.
Understanding Your Virginia Frost Dates
First, find your average last spring frost date. You can get this from your local extension office. For general planning:
* Coastal & Piedmont (Zones 7a-8a): Last frost around April 10-20.
* Western & Mountain (Zones 5b-6b): Last frost around May 1-15.
Your first fall frost date is just as crucial for planning your late-season crops.
Spring Planting Guide (Cool-Season Crops)
These plants thrive in cooler soil and air temperatures and can handle a light frost. You’ll plant them before your last frost date.
Early to Mid-March (4-6 Weeks Before Last Frost)
This is time for hardy seeds and transplants. The soil is workable but still cold.
* Seeds to Sow Directly: Peas, spinach, kale, radishes, carrots, and beet seeds can go right in the ground.
* Transplants to Set Out: You can plant onion sets and bare-root asparagus or rhubarb crowns now.
Late March to Early April (2-4 Weeks Before Last Frost)
The garden is waking up! You can continue with seeds and start introducing some hardy transplants.
* Direct Sow: Lettuce, Swiss chard, turnips, and more carrots.
* Set Out Transplants: Broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and parsley can handle the still-chilly nights.
Late Spring to Summer Planting (Warm-Season Crops)
These are the heat-lovers. Planting them too early in cold soil will stunt their growth. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.
Early to Mid-May (After Last Spring Frost)
The classic “garden planting weekend” in much of Virginia. The soil is warm and the days are longer.
* Direct Sow: Beans, corn, cucumber, and squash seeds.
* Set Out Tender Transplants: This is the safe time for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and basil. Keep an eye on the forcast for any unexpected late chills.
June through Early July
This window is for successions planting and long-season, heat-loving crops.
* Succession Planting: Sow more beans, corn, and cucumbers every few weeks for a continuous harvest.
* Heat Champions: Plant sweet potatoes, okra, and southern peas (like black-eyed peas) now—they’ll thrive in the summer heat.
The Fall Planting Window (Second Season)
Virginia’s fall garden is often the most productive and pleasant. You’re working backward from your first fall frost date.
Mid-July to Early August (10-12 Weeks Before First Frost)
Start your fall garden indoors or in a shaded nursery bed. It’s time for crops that mature in the cool of fall but need to start in summer’s heat.
* Start Indoors: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts seeds. They need a head start before being transplanted out in late August.
August to Early September (6-10 Weeks Before First Frost)
As summer crops fade, replant with cool-season favorites.
* Direct Sow in Garden: Lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes, carrots, and beets. Use a shade cloth for the first few weeks to protect seedlings from intense sun.
Late September to October (Onward After First Frost)
Some crops actually taste sweeter after a frost and can be harvested well into winter.
* Hardy Greens: Kale, collards, and some lettuce varieties will keep going.
* Overwintering Crops: Plant garlic cloves in October for a harvest next July. You can also try overwintering onions.
A Quick-Reference Planting Calendar for Virginia
Here’s a simplified month-by-month guide for central Virginia (Zone 7a). Adjust slightly for your specific zone.
* February: Plan your garden, order seeds.
* March: Plant peas, spinach, radishes, onion sets.
* April: Plant potatoes, lettuce, carrots, broccoli transplants.
* May: Plant tomatoes, peppers, beans, corn, squash.
* June: Plant okra, sweet potatoes, succession beans.
* July: Start fall broccoli & cauliflower seeds indoors.
* August: Plant fall carrots, beets, kale, transplant brassicas.
* September: Plant lettuce, spinach, radishes, garlic.
* October: Plant garlic, harvest most summer crops.
Tips for Maximizing Your Planting Success
1. Test Your Soil: A simple test from Virginia Tech Extension tells you exactly what your soil needs.
2. Amend the Soil: Add compost every season. It improves drainage in clay and water retention in sand.
3. Use Mulch: A 2-3 inch layer of straw or shredded leaves conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and moderates soil temperature.
4. Keep Records: Note what you planted when and how it performed. This is your best tool for improving next year.
5. Watch the Weather, Not Just the Calendar: A warm early spring can be tempting, but a late cold snap can ruin tender plants. Be patient.
Common Planting Mistakes to Avoid
* Planting Too Early: This is the number one error. Warm-season plants won’t grow faster in cold soil; they’ll just sit there stressed.
* Crowding Plants: Follow spacing on seed packets. Good air flow prevents disease.
* Ignoring Crop Rotation: Don’t plant the same family (like tomatoes and peppers) in the same spot year after year to prevent pest buildup.
* Forgetting to Harden Off: Always acclimate indoor-grown seedlings to outdoor sun and wind over 7-10 days before planting them permanently.
Virginia Flower Planting Times
For a beautiful bloom sequence:
* Spring-Blooming Bulbs: Plant tulips, daffodils, and crocus in the fall (October-November).
* Annuals: Plant hardy pansies in March. Wait until after last frost for tender zinnias, marigolds, and petunias (May).
* Perennials: Best planted in early fall (September) or early spring (April) to establish roots before extreme heat or cold.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best month to plant a garden in Virginia?
There isn’t one single month. The best times are early spring (March-April) for cool crops, May for warm-season crops, and late summer (August) for the fall garden.
When should I plant tomatoes in Virginia?
Wait until after your last spring frost date. For most of Virginia, this is early to mid-May. Planting to early risks stunting or losing plants to a late chill.
Can you grow vegetables year-round in Virginia?
With protection like cold frames or row covers, you can extend the harvest of hardy greens like kale and spinach through much of the winter, especially in the milder coastal regions.
What can I plant in August in Virginia?
August is prime time for fall crops. Direct sow carrots, beets, kale, and lettuce. Transplant your broccoli and cauliflower seedlings started in July.
How long is the growing season in Virginia?
It varies widely. In the mountains, it may be 150 days. In the coastal plains, it can be over 200 days. Knowing your local frost dates gives you your exact number.
Gardening in Virginia is a rewarding journey through three distinct seasons. By syncing your planting with these best planting times for our state, you give your plants the best possible start. Remember to consider your specific micro-climate, keep notes, and don’t be afraid to experiment a little each year. The soil here is generous to those who understand its rhythms.