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

Planting zone for 23090 — Lightfoot, VA

ZIP code 23090 (Lightfoot, York County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 23090 is

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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostMar 31
First frostNov 10
2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lightfoot, 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 Lightfoot, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Williamsburg 2 N, VA — 4 miles away, elevation 69 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 23090

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
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 (Mar 31) 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 23090 came on Mar 3 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

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 7b in Virginia

629 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 89

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 133

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 200

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 181

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Lightfoot, VA.

Soil in Lightfoot, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23090 is Kempsville — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kempsville-Emporia fine sandy loams, 2 to 6 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 23090; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lightfoot, VA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, January
Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights68nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,664base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 44 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
Precipitation51.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall4 inper year; 4 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 57 °F 77°57° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 65 °F 84°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 63 °F 81°63° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 51 °F 71°51° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 34 °F 53°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.77 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 3.8❄2 JanFebruary: 3.05 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.0❄2 FebMarch: 4.25 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.3 MarApril: 3.98 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.0 AprMay: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 5.92 in precipitation 5.9 JulAugust: 5.68 in precipitation 5.7 AugSeptember: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 SepOctober: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.80 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.8❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Williamsburg 2 N, VA (4 mi away); precipitation: Williamsburg 2 N, VA (4 mi away). 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.

231888a
Williamsburg, VA · <1 mi
231878a
Williamsburg, VA · 2 mi
231278a
Norge, VA · 2 mi
231687b
Toano, VA · 5 mi
231858a
Williamsburg, VA · 8 mi
230117b
Barhamsville, VA · 10 mi
230818a
Jamestown, VA · 10 mi
230038a
Ark, VA · 11 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23090

What planting zone is ZIP code 23090?

ZIP code 23090 (Lightfoot, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Lightfoot, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23090 is March 31; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamsburg 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Lightfoot, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23090 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23090?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23090 get?

About 51.2 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamsburg 2 N station).

How hot do summers get in Lightfoot, VA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23090 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kempsville at the center of ZIP 23090: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lightfoot, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23090 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lightfoot, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23090 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.