FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in Newport News and as late as May 3 in Radford.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Virginia BeachFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
NorfolkJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 30 – Apr 6
ChesapeakeJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 30 – Apr 6
RichmondFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
ArlingtonFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
Newport NewsJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 23 – Mar 30
AlexandriaFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
East HamptonJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
HamptonJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
RoanokeFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
Portsmouth HeightsJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 30 – Apr 6
PortsmouthJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 30 – Apr 6
SuffolkJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 3 – Apr 10
South SuffolkJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 3 – Apr 10
LynchburgFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 24 – May 1
CentrevilleFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
Dale CityJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 4 – Apr 11
West LynchburgFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 24 – May 1
RestonFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 21 – Apr 28
HarrisonburgFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
LeesburgFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
McLeanFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
CharlottesvilleFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 12 – Apr 19
TuckahoeFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
BlacksburgFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
AshburnFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
DanvilleFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
ManassasFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 19 – Apr 26
Lake RidgeFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 19 – Apr 26
BurkeFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 21 – Apr 28

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in Newport News and as late as May 3 in Radford.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Virginia

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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