Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for Hampton, VA

Hampton, VA is in USDA zone 8b across its 10 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 15.

Hampton on the zone map

Outlined: its 8 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
ZIP codes10
Last frostMar 24
First frostNov 15
Growing season238 days

8b 10 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Hampton, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station Langley AFB, VA, elevation 10 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Hampton

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 15) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 23669 came on Mar 2 — 12 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8b in Virginia

655 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 92

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 139

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 207

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 191

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Hampton, VA.

Soil in Hampton, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23669 is Augusta — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Augusta-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 23669; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hampton, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,646base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall3 inper year; 3 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 32 °F 49°32° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 49 °F 68°49° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 58 °F 76°58° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 67 °F 83°67° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 71 °F 87°71° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 71 °F 85°71° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 65 °F 79°65° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 53 °F 70°53° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 42 °F 60°42° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 36 °F 52°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.48 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 3.5❄2 JanFebruary: 2.88 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 2.9 FebMarch: 4.42 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.4 MarApril: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 JulAugust: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 AugSeptember: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 SepOctober: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.70 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Langley AFB, VA (2 mi away); precipitation: Langley AFB, VA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Hampton

236308b
15 to 20 °F
236618b
15 to 20 °F
236638b
15 to 20 °F
236648b
15 to 20 °F
236658b
15 to 20 °F
236668b
15 to 20 °F
236678b
15 to 20 °F
236698b
15 to 20 °F
236708b
15 to 20 °F
236818b
15 to 20 °F

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about Hampton

What planting zone is Hampton, VA?

Hampton, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Hampton, VA?

The median last spring frost is March 24 and the median first fall frost is November 15 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Langley AFB station).

When can I plant a garden in Hampton, VA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 10 – Mar 3; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 31, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Hampton, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Hampton, VA get?

About 47.8 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).