When should I plant lettuce in ZIP 23451?

In ZIP 23451, the main lettuce target is around Mar 18, based on the representative Virginia Beach frost station and USDA zone 8b.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in 23451?

Start lettuce seeds indoors in ZIP 23451 around Mar 4, about 28 days before the Apr 1 last-frost estimate.

Is this a guaranteed planting date?

No. GrowZone uses frost-date estimates, hardiness zones, and crop timing rules for planning. Local microclimates and current weather can shift the right date.

ZIP 23451 planting calendar

When to plant lettuce in Virginia Beach, VA - Zone 8b

Q: When is the first frost in Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach (ZIP 23451) has an average first fall frost around Nov 15, leaving about 228 frost-free days.

In ZIP 23451, plant lettuce around Mar 18; this uses the Virginia Beach frost station, USDA zone 8b, and lettuce timing rules.

Your Virginia Beach calendar has a 228-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Virginia Beach frost station, USDA zone 8b, and lettuce timing rules.

Source: virginia-beach-oceana frost station, USDA zone 8b, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

USDA zone 8b Virginia Beach frost station Virginia Cooperative Extension Updated 2026-06-28

Read the method

Answer first

When to start lettuce seeds indoors in Virginia Beach

In ZIP 23451, start lettuce seeds indoors around Mar 4, about 28 days before the Apr 1 last-frost estimate.

Start lettuce seeds indoors in Virginia Beach around Mar 4, about 28 days before the Apr 1 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Lettuce dates for Virginia Beach, VA

Step	Date	How to use it
Start Indoors	March 4, 2026	Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant Outdoors	March 18, 2026	Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct Sow	March 18, 2026	Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach (ZIP 23451) has an average last spring frost around Apr 1.

First frost

When is the first frost in Virginia Beach?

The average first fall frost is around Nov 15, giving about 228 frost-free days.

Season map

Lettuce windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Mar 4

Direct sow

Mar 18

Transplant

Mar 18

Harvest

May 12

Frost watch

Sep 21

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start lettuce indoorsMar 4

Direct sow lettuceMar 18

Transplant lettuceMar 18

Last frost windowApr 1

First lettuce harvest windowMay 12

Last lettuce sowing targetSep 21

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	April 1, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	November 15, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	228 days	Longer seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing	8-12 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	40 F+	Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

Virginia Beach frost history and USDA zone 8b shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Lettuce timing notes

Succession sow every 10-14 days while weather is cool. Lettuce prefers sun to part shade, 8-12 in spacing, and soil near 40 F+.

For fall, count backward from Nov 15. A conservative last sowing target is around Sep 21.