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

Planting zone for 23501 — Norfolk, VA

ZIP code 23501 (Norfolk, Norfolk (city)) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 23.

Where ZIP 23501 is

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
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 17
First frostNov 23
2012 zone8a

Was 8a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Norfolk, VA…

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 Norfolk, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 23median — 10% chance by Nov 8
Growing season252 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around December 8.

From the NOAA station Norfolk Intl Airport, VA — within 1 mile, elevation 30 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 23501

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 28 – Oct 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 9 – Dec 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 23) 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 23501 came on Mar 1 — 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

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 Norfolk, VA.

Soil in Norfolk, VA

The center of ZIP 23501 is mapped as Udorthents-Dumps complex: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 23501; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Norfolk, VA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights41nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,132base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation49.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall6 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 51 °F, low 34 °F 51°34° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 41 °F 60°41° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 50 °F 70°50° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 59 °F 77°59° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 68 °F 85°68° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 73 °F 89°73° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 72 °F 87°72° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 67 °F 81°67° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 55 °F 72°55° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 44 °F 62°44° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 38 °F 55°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 3.41 in precipitation, 3.2 in snowfall 3.4❄3 JanFebruary: 2.90 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 2.9❄2 FebMarch: 3.69 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 3.7 MarApril: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 6.08 in precipitation 6.1 JulAugust: 5.88 in precipitation 5.9 AugSeptember: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 SepOctober: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.28 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 3.3❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Norfolk Intl Airport, VA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Norfolk Intl Airport, VA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

235188b
Norfolk, VA · 1 mi
235138b
Norfolk, VA · 2 mi
235028b
Norfolk, VA · 2 mi
234598b
Virginia Beach, VA · 2 mi
235068b
Norfolk, VA · 3 mi
235158b
Norfolk, VA · 3 mi
235198b
Norfolk, VA · 3 mi
235418b
Norfolk, VA · 3 mi

All 20 ZIP codes in Norfolk → · Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23501

What planting zone is ZIP code 23501?

ZIP code 23501 (Norfolk, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Norfolk, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23501 is March 17; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Norfolk Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Norfolk, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23501 is November 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 252 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23501?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 20 – Feb 3 and set transplants outside around Mar 24 – Apr 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23501 get?

About 49.2 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Norfolk Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Norfolk, VA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Norfolk, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23501 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Norfolk, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23501 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 23501 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 23501 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.