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

Planting zone for 23045 — Diggs, VA

ZIP code 23045 (Diggs, Mathews County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 23045 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 1
First frostNov 10
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Diggs, 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 Diggs, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season223 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station N, VA — 9 miles away, elevation 3 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 23045

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 23045 came on Mar 8 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

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 Diggs, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23045 is Fallsington — fine sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Fallsington fine sandy loam.

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 23045; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Diggs, VA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights77nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,148base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation50.8 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 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 46 °F 66°46° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 56 °F 73°56° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 65 °F 81°65° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 70 °F 85°70° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 68 °F 83°68° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 63 °F 78°63° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 40 °F 59°40° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 JulAugust: 5.51 in precipitation 5.5 AugSeptember: 5.13 in precipitation 5.1 SepOctober: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 OctNovember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: N, VA (9 mi away); precipitation: Port Haywood 1.0 Se, VA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

231198a
Moon, VA · 1 mi
231308a
Onemo, VA · 3 mi
231098a
Mathews, VA · 3 mi
230768a
Hudgins, VA · 4 mi
231638a
Susan, VA · 5 mi
230648a
Grimstead, VA · 5 mi
230258a
Cardinal, VA · 5 mi
230668a
Gwynn, VA · 5 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23045

What planting zone is ZIP code 23045?

ZIP code 23045 (Diggs, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Diggs, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23045 is April 1; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N station.

When is the first frost in Diggs, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23045 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 223 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23045?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23045 get?

About 50.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Port Haywood 1.0 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Diggs, VA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23045 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fallsington at the center of ZIP 23045: fine sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Diggs, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23045 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Diggs, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23045 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 23045 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 23045 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.