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

Planting zone for 22508 — Locust Grove, VA

ZIP code 22508 (Locust Grove, Orange County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 22508 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 7
First frostOct 30
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 Locust Grove, 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 Locust Grove, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA — 19 miles away, elevation 522 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 22508

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 22508 came on Mar 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

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).

Soil in Locust Grove, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22508 is Nathalie — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nathalie sandy loam, 2 to 7 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 22508; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Locust Grove, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,912base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46.4 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 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 28 °F 48°28° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 46 °F 68°46° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 JanFebruary: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA (19 mi away); precipitation: Fredericksburg 5.2 Ssw, VA (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

224337a
Burr Hill, VA · 5 mi
225427a
Rhoadesville, VA · 5 mi
227267a
Lignum, VA · 6 mi
227367a
Richardsville, VA · 8 mi
225677a
Unionville, VA · 9 mi
225537a
Spotsylvania, VA · 9 mi
227417a
Stevensburg, VA · 10 mi
225517a
Spotsylvania, VA · 10 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22508

What planting zone is ZIP code 22508?

ZIP code 22508 (Locust Grove, 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 Locust Grove, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22508 is April 7; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Piedmont Rsch Stn station.

When is the first frost in Locust Grove, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22508 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22508?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22508 get?

About 46.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fredericksburg 5.2 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Locust Grove, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22508 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nathalie at the center of ZIP 22508: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Locust Grove, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22508 came on Mar 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Locust Grove, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22508 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.