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

Planting zone for 23038 — Columbia, VA

ZIP code 23038 (Columbia, Goochland 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 21.

Where ZIP 23038 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 21
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 Columbia, 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 Columbia, 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 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Palmyra 3s, VA — 7 miles away, elevation 410 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 23038

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 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 23038 came on Mar 7 — 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 Columbia, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23038 is Madison — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
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 classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Madison fine sandy loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, eroded.

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 23038; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Columbia, VA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights112nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,701base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation43.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall12 inper year; 8 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 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.08 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 3.1❄4 JanFebruary: 2.83 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 2.8❄5 FebMarch: 3.79 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 3.8❄2 MarApril: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.38 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.4 NovDecember: 3.62 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 3.6❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Palmyra 3s, VA (7 mi away); precipitation: Palmyra 3s, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

230557a
Fork Union, VA · 4 mi
230227a
Bremo Bluff, VA · 6 mi
230277a
Cartersville, VA · 7 mi
230847a
Kents Store, VA · 9 mi
230637a
Goochland, VA · 10 mi
230677a
Hadensville, VA · 10 mi
229637a
Palmyra, VA · 10 mi
231537a
Sandy Hook, VA · 11 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23038

What planting zone is ZIP code 23038?

ZIP code 23038 (Columbia, 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 Columbia, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23038 is April 23; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palmyra 3s station.

When is the first frost in Columbia, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23038 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23038?

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 23038 get?

About 43.7 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Palmyra 3s station).

How hot do summers get in Columbia, VA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23038 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Madison at the center of ZIP 23038: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Columbia, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23038 came on Mar 7 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 Columbia, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23038 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.