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

Planting zone for 22701 — Culpeper, VA

ZIP code 22701 (Culpeper, Culpeper County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 22701 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 21
First frostOct 22
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 Culpeper, 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 Culpeper, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season184 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Boston 4 Se, VA — 9 miles away, elevation 591 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 22701

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 22701 came on Mar 9 — 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 Culpeper, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22701 is Elbert — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Elbert silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally ponded.

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 22701; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Culpeper, VA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights121nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,472base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation44.8 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 23 °F 44°23° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 25 °F 48°25° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 JanFebruary: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 SepOctober: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Boston 4 Se, VA (9 mi away); precipitation: Rixeyville 2.5 N, VA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

227297a
Mitchells, VA · 5 mi
227337a
Rapidan, VA · 7 mi
229487a
Locust Dale, VA · 8 mi
227257a
Leon, VA · 8 mi
227417a
Stevensburg, VA · 8 mi
227147a
Brandy Station, VA · 9 mi
224337a
Burr Hill, VA · 9 mi
227307a
Oakpark, VA · 9 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22701

What planting zone is ZIP code 22701?

ZIP code 22701 (Culpeper, 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 Culpeper, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22701 is April 21; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boston 4 Se station.

When is the first frost in Culpeper, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22701 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 184 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22701?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22701 get?

About 44.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rixeyville 2.5 N station).

How hot do summers get in Culpeper, VA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22701 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Elbert at the center of ZIP 22701: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Culpeper, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22701 came on Mar 9 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 Culpeper, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22701 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.