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

Planting zone for 23063 — Goochland, VA

ZIP code 23063 (Goochland, Goochland County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 23063 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 17

First frostOct 27

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 Goochland, 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 Goochland, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Crozier, VA — 6 miles away, elevation 351 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 23063

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 23063 came on Mar 7 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

average
Mar 72026
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).

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 Goochland, VA.

Soil in Goochland, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23063 is Madison — 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: Madison clay loam, 7 to 15 percent slopes, severely 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 23063; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Goochland, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights107nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,864base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 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

Precipitation44.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall10 inper year; 9 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Crozier, VA (6 mi away); precipitation: Crozier, VA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

231537a

Sandy Hook, VA · 5 mi

230147a

Beaumont, VA · 5 mi

230657a

Gum Spring, VA · 7 mi

230677a

Hadensville, VA · 8 mi

231027a

Maidens, VA · 8 mi

230277a

Cartersville, VA · 9 mi

231607a

State Farm, VA · 9 mi

230387a

Columbia, VA · 10 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23063

What planting zone is ZIP code 23063?

ZIP code 23063 (Goochland, 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 Goochland, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23063 is April 17; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crozier station.

When is the first frost in Goochland, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23063 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23063?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23063 get?

About 44.9 inches of precipitation a year and 10 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crozier station).

How hot do summers get in Goochland, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23063 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Madison at the center of ZIP 23063: clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Goochland, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23063 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 Goochland, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23063 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.