What Grows in Portsmouth, VA?
Portsmouth, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Portsmouth is in USDA Zone 8b with about 319 frost-free days.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost late January, first frost mid-December.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens
Garlic
What grows well in Portsmouth
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Basil
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Portsmouth, VA in?
Portsmouth, VA is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Portsmouth?
The average last spring frost in Portsmouth is around late January, and the first fall frost is typically mid-December. Plan to move tender plants outside after late January and have them harvested (or protected) before mid-December.
What grows well in Portsmouth?
Plenty — Portsmouth's USDA Zone 8b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Portsmouth's growing season?
Portsmouth typically has around 319 frost-free days per year (roughly late January to mid-December). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Portsmouth?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Portsmouth.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Portsmouth?
Yes — Portsmouth's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Portsmouth?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around late January), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.