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

Planting zone for 22656 — Stephenson, VA

ZIP code 22656 (Stephenson, Frederick County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 22656 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 25
First frostOct 18
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 Stephenson, 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 Stephenson, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Winchester 7 Se, VA — 2 miles away, elevation 679 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 22656

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 22656 came on Mar 11 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

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 Stephenson, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22656 is Weikert — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter69%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Weikert-Berks channery silt loams, 15 to 25 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 22656; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stephenson, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,371base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation40 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 21 °F 42°21° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 29 °F 53°29° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 38 °F 66°38° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 58 °F 83°58° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 61 °F 86°61° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 32 °F 56°32° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.48 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 2.23 in precipitation 2.2 FebMarch: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 MarApril: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Winchester 7 Se, VA (2 mi away); precipitation: Winchester 7 Se, VA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

226247a
Clear Brook, VA · 3 mi
226227a
Brucetown, VA · 3 mi
226017a
Winchester, VA · 5 mi
226047a
Winchester, VA · 5 mi
254407a
Ridgeway, WV · 6 mi
254137a
Bunker Hill, WV · 7 mi
226037a
Winchester, VA · 7 mi
226117a
Berryville, VA · 7 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22656

What planting zone is ZIP code 22656?

ZIP code 22656 (Stephenson, 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 Stephenson, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22656 is April 25; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winchester 7 Se station.

When is the first frost in Stephenson, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22656 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22656?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22656 get?

About 40 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winchester 7 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Stephenson, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22656 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Weikert at the center of ZIP 22656: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Stephenson, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22656 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stephenson, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22656 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 22656 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 22656 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.