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

Planting zone for 23112 — Midlothian, VA

ZIP code 23112 (Midlothian, Chesterfield County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 23112 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 7
First frostNov 2
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 20
Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Amelia Courthouse, VA — 19 miles away, elevation 345 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 23112

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 23112 came on Mar 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

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 Midlothian, VA.

Soil in Midlothian, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23112 is Creedmoor — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Creedmoor fine sandy loam, 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 23112; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Midlothian, VA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,398base 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
Precipitation45.5 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 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 29 °F 52°29° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Amelia Courthouse, VA (19 mi away); precipitation: Chesterfield 8.5 Wsw, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

231147b
Midlothian, VA · 3 mi
238327b
Chesterfield, VA · 5 mi
232367b
Richmond, VA · 5 mi
232977b
Richmond, VA · 6 mi
231207b
Moseley, VA · 7 mi
232357b
Richmond, VA · 8 mi
231137b
Midlothian, VA · 8 mi
238387b
Chesterfield, VA · 8 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Midlothian → · Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23112

What planting zone is ZIP code 23112?

ZIP code 23112 (Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23112 is April 7; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Amelia Courthouse station.

When is the first frost in Midlothian, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23112 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23112?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23112 get?

About 45.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chesterfield 8.5 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Midlothian, VA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23112 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Creedmoor at the center of ZIP 23112: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Midlothian, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23112 came on Mar 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Midlothian, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23112 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 23112 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 23112 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.