FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Mar 21 – Mar 28, 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 45–55 days

Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
Virginia BeachMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
NorfolkMar 2 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
ChesapeakeMar 2 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
RichmondMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
ArlingtonMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
Newport NewsFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
AlexandriaMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
East HamptonMar 3 – Mar 10Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
HamptonMar 3 – Mar 10Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
RoanokeMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
Portsmouth HeightsMar 2 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
PortsmouthMar 2 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
SuffolkMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
South SuffolkMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
LynchburgMar 27 – Apr 3Apr 24 – May 8Apr 24 – May 1
CentrevilleMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
Dale CityMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
West LynchburgMar 27 – Apr 3Apr 24 – May 8Apr 24 – May 1
RestonMar 24 – Mar 31Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
HarrisonburgMar 31 – Apr 7Apr 28 – May 12Apr 28 – May 5
LeesburgMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
McLeanMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
CharlottesvilleMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19
TuckahoeMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
BlacksburgApr 3 – Apr 10May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
AshburnMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
DanvilleMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 29Apr 15 – Apr 22
ManassasMar 22 – Mar 29Apr 19 – May 3Apr 19 – Apr 26
Lake RidgeMar 22 – Mar 29Apr 19 – May 3Apr 19 – Apr 26
BurkeMar 24 – Mar 31Apr 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 zucchini in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Mar 21 – Mar 28, 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in Virginia

When to plant zucchini in other states

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