Planting metre for garden vegetables in Virginia , determined by United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zone as well as filth type and irrigation demand , range from early to late spring . Because the state adulterate from higher peak in the west to the coastal plain in the east , successful gardeners in dissimilar part of Virginia apply hardiness zones to determine when to implant .
Virginia Hardiness Zones: 5a to 8a
Virginia , the 35th - largest body politic in the U.S. by field , comprehend USDA plant hardiness zone 5a to 8a . Zone 5a/5b is very small , covering about one-half of craggy Highland County on the state ’s far western molding with West Virginia . The rest of the higher elevations in the west are in zones 6a/6b where the last spring freeze is in later April and former May .
The mass of the state is in geographical zone 7a , with a last fountain frost in mid - April . Zone 7b , with a last Robert Lee Frost in other April , covers the southeastern component part of the state . Because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean , the easternmost part of the state around the Chesapeake Bay and on the easterly shore is in zone 8a , where the last rime is also in early April — but the raise time of year stretches almost to the end of November .
The Virginia Cooperative Extension has a handy gardenplanning toolthat let in a hardiness zone mapping and elaborated information on when to embed , how much to plant and when to reap . Use the Garden Guidesinteractive toolto project your strong-arm garden space .
Tip
If you ’re uncertain about your soil type , send a sampling to yourlocal telephone extension officeand design your vegetable choices based on its report .
Tips for Gardening in Virginia
The hardiness zona is not the only factor you need to consider when decide when to grow cabbage in Virginia , for case .
Know Your Soil Type
The dirt type , the nutrients present in the soil and irrigation call for change from region to region . Soil in the Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains in western Virginia was organize from limestone and shale , while coastal regions can be arenaceous or clayey .
Start Seeds Indoors
gardener in the colder hardiness zones can get a jump on the farm season bystarting seeds indoorsand graft them when the weather warms .
The source of frost - tender and cold - sensible veggie can be go in mid - March . Very hardy , frost - broad vegetables can be planted outdoors as soon as you could knead the soil . Semi - sturdy vegetable can be plant two to four weeks before the last frost .
Consider Harvest Dates
Keep the harvest day of the month in nous when contrive the garden . Cabbage , beets and broccoli are among the vegetables to plant in August in zona 8 , and all will be quick to harvest by early to mid - October . In geographical zone 6a , the last harvest date is late December for carrot and leeks .
Example Planting Calendar for Richmond, VA
Richmond ’s metropolitan area spans hardiness zones 7a and 7b , with the legal age of the urban center in zone 7a . The last drink down bounce freeze typically occurs between April 15 and 25 , while the first killing fall Robert Lee Frost happen between October 15 and 25 .
The earliest crop , collard , kale , mustard and garden peas , plant in early March , will be ready for harvest at the end of April . A second harvest of collard greens , kale and mustard can be planted in early August for harvest in early October .
Vegetables that should wait until the chance of a killing icing is over include bush and perch bean , cucumber , eggplant , gumbo , peppers , squash , tomatoes and watermelon . On the other hand , heat - sensitive vegetable , like cauliflower and Brassica oleracea italica , should n’t be constitute after mid - May .
Carrots , leeks , rutabagas and spinach can be glean well into December . Using frigid frames or quarrel masking fabric can offer the harvesting windowpane by two to four weeks . Some crops , like lolly , radish and turnips , may even make it a soft winter .
