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

Planting zone for 22725 — Leon, VA

ZIP code 22725 (Leon, Madison 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 22725 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 Leon, 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 Leon, 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 — 8 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 22725

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 22725 came on Mar 9 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10).

average
Mar 102026
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).

Native plants for zone 7a in Virginia

618 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Leon, VA.

Soil in Leon, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22725 is Cecil — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy 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 matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil fine sandy loam, 7 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 22725; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Leon, 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

Precipitation43.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall16 inper year; 13 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Boston 4 Se, VA (8 mi away); precipitation: Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

227157a

Brightwood, VA · 2 mi

Locust Dale, VA · 6 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22725

What planting zone is ZIP code 22725?

ZIP code 22725 (Leon, 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 Leon, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22725 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 Leon, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22725 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 184 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22725?

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 22725 get?

About 43.7 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Piedmont Rsch Stn station).

How hot do summers get in Leon, 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 22725 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 22725: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Leon, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22725 came on Mar 9 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Leon, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22725 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.