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

Planting zone for 22901 — Charlottesville, VA

ZIP code 22901 (Charlottesville, Albemarle County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 22901 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 19
First frostOct 24
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 10
Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Free Union, VA — 2 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 22901

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 22901 came on Mar 7 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

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 7b in Virginia

629 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 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 89

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 133

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 200

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 181

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Charlottesville, VA.

Soil in Charlottesville, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22901 is Chester — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Chester 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 22901; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Charlottesville, VA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights117nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,538base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall11 inper year; 7 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 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 25 °F 49°25° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 30 °F 58°30° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 40 °F 69°40° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.50 in precipitation, 4.1 in snowfall 3.5❄4 JanFebruary: 2.84 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 2.8❄3 FebMarch: 3.89 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 3.9❄1 MarApril: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 SepOctober: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.76 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.8 NovDecember: 3.56 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 3.6❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Free Union, VA (2 mi away); precipitation: Free Union, VA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

229457b
Ivy, VA · 3 mi
229047b
Charlottesville, VA · 4 mi
229057b
Charlottesville, VA · 5 mi
229067b
Charlottesville, VA · 5 mi
229077b
Charlottesville, VA · 5 mi
229107b
Charlottesville, VA · 5 mi
229087b
Charlottesville, VA · 5 mi
229367b
Earlysville, VA · 6 mi

All 11 ZIP codes in Charlottesville → · Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22901

What planting zone is ZIP code 22901?

ZIP code 22901 (Charlottesville, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Charlottesville, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22901 is April 19; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Free Union station.

When is the first frost in Charlottesville, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22901 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22901?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22901 get?

About 46.8 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Free Union station).

How hot do summers get in Charlottesville, VA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22901 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chester at the center of ZIP 22901: loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22901 came on Mar 7 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Charlottesville, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22901 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 22901 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 22901 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.