Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Gainesville, VA

Gainesville, VA is in USDA zone 7a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost October 27.

Gainesville on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 12

First frostOct 27

Growing season197 days

7a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gainesville, VA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Gainesville, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Manassas, VA, elevation 246 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Gainesville

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 12) and first fall frost (Oct 27) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 20155 came on Mar 10 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
Mar 10

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 7a in Virginia

618 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Gainesville, VA.

Soil in Gainesville, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 20155 is Arcola — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Arcola-Nestoria complex, 7 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 20155; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gainesville, VA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights94nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,908base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation46.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Manassas, VA (9 mi away); precipitation: Broad Run 2.8 Ssw, VA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Gainesville

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about Gainesville

What planting zone is Gainesville, VA?

Gainesville, VA is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map (7a: 0 to 5 °F).

When is the last frost in Gainesville, VA?

The median last spring frost is April 12 and the median first fall frost is October 27 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manassas station).

When can I plant a garden in Gainesville, VA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 1 – Mar 22; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 19, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Gainesville, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Gainesville, VA get?

About 46.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).