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

Planting zone for 22652 — Fort Valley, VA

ZIP code 22652 (Fort Valley, Shenandoah County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 22652 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 24

First frostOct 20

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Fort Valley, 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 Fort Valley, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Woodstock 2 Ne, VA — 4 miles away, elevation 676 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 22652

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 22652 came on Mar 11 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
Mar 11

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 Fort Valley, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22652 is Berks — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berks-Weikert channery silt loams, 8 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 22652; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Valley, VA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights123nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,322base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 53 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

Precipitation39.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall24 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Woodstock 2 Ne, VA (4 mi away); precipitation: Woodstock 2 Ne, VA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

226507a

Rileyville, VA · 6 mi

226647a

Woodstock, VA · 6 mi

226607a

Toms Brook, VA · 8 mi

226107a

Bentonville, VA · 8 mi

226267a

Fishers Hill, VA · 10 mi

228247a

Edinburg, VA · 11 mi

226446b

Maurertown, VA · 11 mi

226577a

Strasburg, VA · 12 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22652

What planting zone is ZIP code 22652?

ZIP code 22652 (Fort Valley, 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 Fort Valley, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22652 is April 24; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodstock 2 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Fort Valley, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22652 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22652?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22652 get?

About 39.5 inches of precipitation a year and 24 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodstock 2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Valley, VA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22652 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 22652: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Fort Valley, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22652 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Valley, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22652 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 22652 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 22652 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.