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

Planting zone for 22947 — Keswick, VA

ZIP code 22947 (Keswick, Albemarle County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 22947 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 5
First frostNov 4
2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Keswick, 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 Keswick, 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 — 7 miles away, 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 22947

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 22947 came on Mar 8 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

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 Keswick, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22947 is Bugley — channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bugley channery silt 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 22947; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Keswick, 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 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
Precipitation45.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

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

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.78 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Monticello, VA (7 mi away); precipitation: Keswick 2.8 Ne, VA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

229117b
Charlottesville, VA · 6 mi
229747a
Troy, VA · 6 mi
229097b
Charlottesville, VA · 7 mi
229427a
Gordonsville, VA · 8 mi
229057b
Charlottesville, VA · 9 mi
229067b
Charlottesville, VA · 9 mi
229077b
Charlottesville, VA · 9 mi
229107b
Charlottesville, VA · 9 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22947

What planting zone is ZIP code 22947?

ZIP code 22947 (Keswick, 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 Keswick, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22947 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 Keswick, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22947 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 213 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22947?

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 22947 get?

About 45.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Keswick 2.8 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Keswick, 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 22947 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bugley at the center of ZIP 22947: channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Keswick, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22947 came on Mar 8 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Keswick, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22947 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.