FrostCal

When to Plant Winter Squash in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Mar 14 – Mar 21, then sow outdoors Apr 18 – May 2, 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 Direct sow
Days to maturity 80–110 days

Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Winter Squash Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
Virginia BeachMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
NorfolkFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
ChesapeakeFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
RichmondMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
ArlingtonMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
Newport NewsFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
AlexandriaMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
East HamptonFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
HamptonFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
RoanokeMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
Portsmouth HeightsFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
PortsmouthFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
SuffolkFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
South SuffolkFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
LynchburgMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 24 – May 8Apr 24 – May 1
CentrevilleMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
Dale CityFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
West LynchburgMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 24 – May 8Apr 24 – May 1
RestonMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
HarrisonburgMar 24 – Mar 31Apr 28 – May 12Apr 28 – May 5
LeesburgMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
McLeanMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
CharlottesvilleMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19
TuckahoeMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
BlacksburgMar 27 – Apr 3May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
AshburnMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
DanvilleMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 15 – Apr 29Apr 15 – Apr 22
ManassasMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 19 – May 3Apr 19 – Apr 26
Lake RidgeMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 19 – May 3Apr 19 – Apr 26
BurkeMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 21 – May 5Apr 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 winter squash in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Mar 14 – Mar 21, then sow outdoors Apr 18 – May 2, 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 winter squash take to grow?

Winter Squash typically take 80–110 days from planting to harvest. Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Other Crops in Virginia

When to plant winter squash in other states

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