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

Planting zone for 22643 — Markham, VA

ZIP code 22643 (Markham, Fauquier County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 22643 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 13
First frostOct 28
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 Markham, 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 Markham, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Front Royal, VA — 9 miles away, elevation 932 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 22643

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 22643 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).

Soil in Markham, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22643 is Mongle — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mongle silt loam, 7 to 25 percent slopes, rubbly, frequently flooded.

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 22643; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Markham, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,613base 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
Precipitation43.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall21 inper year; 17 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 24 °F 43°24° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.85 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 2.9❄5 JanFebruary: 2.45 in precipitation, 9.4 in snowfall 2.5❄9 FebMarch: 3.77 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 3.8❄2 MarApril: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 SepOctober: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.11 in precipitation, 4.8 in snowfall 3.1❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Front Royal, VA (9 mi away); precipitation: Front Royal, VA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

226397a
Hume, VA · 4 mi
226427a
Linden, VA · 4 mi
201447a
Delaplane, VA · 5 mi
226237a
Chester Gap, VA · 8 mi
201407a
Rectortown, VA · 8 mi
201157a
Marshall, VA · 8 mi
201167a
Marshall, VA · 9 mi
226407a
Huntly, VA · 9 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22643

What planting zone is ZIP code 22643?

ZIP code 22643 (Markham, 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 Markham, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22643 is April 13; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Front Royal station.

When is the first frost in Markham, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22643 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22643?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 16 – Mar 2 and set transplants outside around Apr 20 – May 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22643 get?

About 43.4 inches of precipitation a year and 21 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Front Royal station).

How hot do summers get in Markham, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22643 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mongle at the center of ZIP 22643: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Markham, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22643 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 Markham, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22643 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.