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

Planting zone for 20155 — Gainesville, VA

ZIP code 20155 (Gainesville, Prince William County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 20155 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 12
First frostOct 27
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 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 — 9 miles away, 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 20155

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).

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 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

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 26 °F 46°26° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 67 °F 85°67° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 58 °F 78°58° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 5.07 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 SepOctober: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

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.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

201687a
Haymarket, VA · <1 mi
201697a
Haymarket, VA · 5 mi
201097a
Manassas, VA · 5 mi
201377a
Broad Run, VA · 5 mi
201437a
Catharpin, VA · 6 mi
201367a
Bristow, VA · 7 mi
201827a
Nokesville, VA · 8 mi
201207a
Centreville, VA · 8 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Gainesville → · Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 20155

What planting zone is ZIP code 20155?

ZIP code 20155 (Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 20155 is April 12; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manassas station.

When is the first frost in Gainesville, VA?

The median first fall frost near 20155 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 20155?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 15 – Mar 1 and set transplants outside around Apr 19 – May 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 20155 get?

About 46.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Broad Run 2.8 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Gainesville, VA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 20155 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Arcola at the center of ZIP 20155: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gainesville, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 20155 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gainesville, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 20155 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.