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

Planting zone for 22733 — Rapidan, VA

ZIP code 22733 (Rapidan, Culpeper County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 22733 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 7

First frostOct 30

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 Rapidan, 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 Rapidan, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA — 7 miles away, elevation 522 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 22733

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 22733 came on Mar 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Mar 8

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 Rapidan, VA.

Soil in Rapidan, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22733 is Penn — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Penn-Nestoria complex, 0 to 2 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 22733; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rapidan, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,912base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 30 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: Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA (7 mi away); precipitation: Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

227297a

Mitchells, VA · 2 mi

229897a

Woodberry Forest, VA · 5 mi

229487a

Locust Dale, VA · 6 mi

Rhoadesville, VA · 8 mi

227327a

Radiant, VA · 8 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22733

What planting zone is ZIP code 22733?

ZIP code 22733 (Rapidan, 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 Rapidan, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22733 is April 7; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Piedmont Rsch Stn station.

When is the first frost in Rapidan, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22733 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22733?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22733 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 Rapidan, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22733 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Penn at the center of ZIP 22733: silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rapidan, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22733 came on Mar 8 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 Rapidan, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22733 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.