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

Planting zone for 22827 — Elkton, VA

ZIP code 22827 (Elkton, Rockingham County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 22827 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 frostMay 1

First frostOct 19

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 Elkton, 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 Elkton, 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 — 13 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 22827

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 22827 came on Mar 8 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
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 Elkton, VA.

Soil in Elkton, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22827 is Laidig — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Laidig fine sandy loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes, very stony.

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 22827; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elkton, 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 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

Precipitation42.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Big Meadows, VA (13 mi away); precipitation: Shenandoah 1.4 N, VA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

228407a

Mc Gaheysville, VA · 7 mi

229657b

Quinque, VA · 9 mi

229737b

Stanardsville, VA · 9 mi

228327a

Keezletown, VA · 9 mi

228497a

Shenandoah, VA · 9 mi

228467a

Penn Laird, VA · 10 mi

229357b

Dyke, VA · 10 mi

244717a

Port Republic, VA · 11 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22827

What planting zone is ZIP code 22827?

ZIP code 22827 (Elkton, 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 Elkton, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22827 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 Elkton, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22827 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 169 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22827?

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 22827 get?

About 42.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shenandoah 1.4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Elkton, VA?

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

What kind of soil does 22827 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Laidig at the center of ZIP 22827: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elkton, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22827 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elkton, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22827 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 22827 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 22827 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.