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

Planting zone for 22909 — Charlottesville, VA

ZIP code 22909 (Charlottesville, Albemarle County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 22909 is

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 5
First frostNov 4
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 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 23
Growing season213 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Monticello, VA — within 1 mile, elevation 758 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 22909

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 22909 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 22909 is Yadkin — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Yadkin clay 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 22909; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Charlottesville, VA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights90nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,772base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 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
Precipitation47.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall16 inper year; 12 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 26 °F 44°26° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 45 °F 66°45° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 54 °F 73°54° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 63 °F 81°63° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 67 °F 85°67° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 65 °F 83°65° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 58 °F 76°58° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 48 °F 66°48° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 30 °F 47°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.72 in precipitation, 3.6 in snowfall 2.7❄4 JanFebruary: 2.73 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 2.7❄6 FebMarch: 4.04 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 4.0❄1 MarApril: 3.54 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.5 AprMay: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.92 in precipitation 4.9 JulAugust: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 SepOctober: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.48 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 3.5❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Monticello, VA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Monticello, VA (within 1 mile). 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.

229057b
Charlottesville, VA · 2 mi
229067b
Charlottesville, VA · 2 mi
229077b
Charlottesville, VA · 2 mi
229107b
Charlottesville, VA · 2 mi
229087b
Charlottesville, VA · 3 mi
229047b
Charlottesville, VA · 4 mi
229117b
Charlottesville, VA · 5 mi
229477a
Keswick, VA · 7 mi

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

Questions about 22909

What planting zone is ZIP code 22909?

ZIP code 22909 (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 22909 is April 5; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monticello station.

When is the first frost in Charlottesville, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22909 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 213 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22909?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22909 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monticello station).

How hot do summers get in Charlottesville, VA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22909 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Yadkin at the center of ZIP 22909: clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22909 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 22909 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 22909 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 22909 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.