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

Planting zone for 22743 — Syria, VA

ZIP code 22743 (Syria, Madison County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 22743 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostMay 1
First frostOct 19
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Syria, 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 Syria, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season169 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Big Meadows, VA — 3 miles away, elevation 3,540 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 22743

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 22743 came on Mar 19 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

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 6b in Virginia

591 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 82

Shrubs 124

Wildflowers & perennials 192

Grasses 168

Vines 11

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 Syria, VA.

Soil in Syria, VA

The center of ZIP 22743 is mapped as Rock land, Myersville and Catoctin materials, moderately steep: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 22743; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Syria, VA

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,121base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation44.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall19 inper year; 12 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 27 °F 44°27° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 46 °F 64°46° MayJune: average high 70 °F, low 54 °F 70°54° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 59 °F 75°59° JulAugust: average high 73 °F, low 58 °F 73°58° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 52 °F 69°52° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 42 °F 58°42° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 32 °F 48°32° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 24 °F 40°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.85 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 2.9❄6 JanFebruary: 2.45 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 2.5❄3 FebMarch: 3.58 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 3.6❄6 MarApril: 3.51 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.5 AprMay: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 5.42 in precipitation 5.4 SepOctober: 3.17 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.2 OctNovember: 3.21 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 3.2 NovDecember: 3.10 in precipitation, 3 in snowfall 3.1❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Big Meadows, VA (3 mi away); precipitation: Luray 5 E, VA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22743

What planting zone is ZIP code 22743?

ZIP code 22743 (Syria, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Syria, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22743 is May 1; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Meadows station.

When is the first frost in Syria, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22743 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22743?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22743 get?

About 44.1 inches of precipitation a year and 19 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Luray 5 E station).

How hot do summers get in Syria, VA?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Syria, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22743 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Syria, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22743 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.