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

Planting zone for 22976 — Tyro, VA

ZIP code 22976 (Tyro, Nelson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 22976 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 2

First frostOct 13

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 Tyro, 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 Tyro, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Montebello Fish Cultural Stn, VA — 4 miles away, elevation 2,667 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 22976

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 22976 came on Mar 8 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
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 Tyro, VA.

Soil in Tyro, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 22976 is Peaks — very gravelly loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureVery gravelly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Peaks-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 55 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 22976; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tyro, VA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,752base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation46.3 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: Montebello Fish Cultural Stn, VA (4 mi away); precipitation: Tye Rvr 1 Se, VA (16 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.

244647a

Montebello, VA · 4 mi

Nellysford, VA · 9 mi

229647b

Piney River, VA · 9 mi

229497b

Lovingston, VA · 10 mi

244837a

Vesuvius, VA · 11 mi

244777a

Stuarts Draft, VA · 11 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 22976

What planting zone is ZIP code 22976?

ZIP code 22976 (Tyro, 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 Tyro, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 22976 is May 2; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montebello Fish Cultural Stn station.

When is the first frost in Tyro, VA?

The median first fall frost near 22976 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 22976?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 22976 get?

About 46.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tye Rvr 1 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Tyro, VA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 22976 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Peaks at the center of ZIP 22976: very gravelly loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Tyro, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 22976 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tyro, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 22976 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.