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

Planting zone for 22835 — Luray, VA

ZIP code 22835 (Luray, Page County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 22835 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 23
First frostOct 22
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 Luray, 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 Luray, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 6
Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Luray 5 E, VA — 4 miles away, elevation 1,401 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 22835

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
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 23) 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 22835 came on Mar 9 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

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 Luray, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22835 is Braddock — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Braddock cobbly loam, 2 to 7 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 22835; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Luray, VA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights112nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,406base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 27 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°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° 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: Luray 5 E, VA (4 mi away); precipitation: Luray 5 E, VA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

226507a
Rileyville, VA · 8 mi
228517a
Stanley, VA · 9 mi
227407a
Sperryville, VA · 9 mi
227436b
Syria, VA · 10 mi
228447a
New Market, VA · 11 mi
226527a
Fort Valley, VA · 12 mi
227197a
Etlan, VA · 14 mi
228497a
Shenandoah, VA · 14 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22835

What planting zone is ZIP code 22835?

ZIP code 22835 (Luray, 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 Luray, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22835 is April 23; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Luray 5 E station.

When is the first frost in Luray, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22835 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22835?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22835 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 Luray, VA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22835 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Braddock at the center of ZIP 22835: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Luray, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22835 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Luray, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22835 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 22835 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 22835 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.