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

Planting zone for 20144 — Delaplane, VA

ZIP code 20144 (Delaplane, Fauquier County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 20144 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 17
First frostNov 1
2012 zone7a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Delaplane, 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 Delaplane, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Mt Wx, VA — 10 miles away, elevation 1,660 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 20144

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 20144 came on Mar 11 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

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.

Trees 87

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 129

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 197

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 179

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Delaplane, VA.

Soil in Delaplane, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 20144 is Edneytown — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Edneytown-Chestnut complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, rocky.

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 20144; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Delaplane, VA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights105nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,269base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall20 inper year; 19 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 24 °F 43°24° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 51 °F 70°51° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 61 °F 79°61° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 65 °F 82°65° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 64 °F 81°64° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 57 °F 75°57° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 46 °F 64°46° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 36 °F 53°36° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 27 °F 43°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.48 in precipitation, 8.4 in snowfall 3.5❄8 JanFebruary: 2.37 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 2.4❄4 FebMarch: 3.69 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 3.7❄3 MarApril: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 5.20 in precipitation 5.2 SepOctober: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 3.48 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 3.5❄1 NovDecember: 3.45 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 3.5❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mt Wx, VA (10 mi away); precipitation: The Plains 2 Nne, VA (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

201407a
Rectortown, VA · 4 mi
226437a
Markham, VA · 5 mi
226427a
Linden, VA · 5 mi
201857a
Upperville, VA · 6 mi
201167a
Marshall, VA · 6 mi
201847a
Upperville, VA · 6 mi
226397a
Hume, VA · 7 mi
201157a
Marshall, VA · 8 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 20144

What planting zone is ZIP code 20144?

ZIP code 20144 (Delaplane, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Delaplane, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 20144 is April 17; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mt Wx station.

When is the first frost in Delaplane, VA?

The median first fall frost near 20144 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 20144?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 20144 get?

About 46.1 inches of precipitation a year and 20 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, The Plains 2 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Delaplane, VA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 20144 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Edneytown at the center of ZIP 20144: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Delaplane, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 20144 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Delaplane, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 20144 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.