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

Planting zone for 23161 — Stevensville, VA

ZIP code 23161 (Stevensville, King and Queen 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 1.

Where ZIP 23161 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 1
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 Stevensville, 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 Stevensville, 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 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Walkerton 2 Nw, VA — 6 miles away, elevation 49 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 23161

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 6 – Sep 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 23161 came on Mar 8 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27).

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 Stevensville, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23161 is Emporia — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately 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: Emporia-Slagle-Rumford complex, 6 to 15 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 23161; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stevensville, VA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days46days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights82nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,611base 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
Precipitation45.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall8 inper year; 6 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 29 °F 49°29° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 68 °F 87°68° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 62 °F 81°62° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.19 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 3.2❄3 JanFebruary: 2.85 in precipitation, 2.4 in snowfall 2.9❄2 FebMarch: 4.03 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 4.0❄1 MarApril: 3.20 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 3.29 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.3 NovDecember: 3.69 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 3.7❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Walkerton 2 Nw, VA (6 mi away); precipitation: Walkerton 2 Nw, VA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

231777b
Walkerton, VA · 4 mi
230237b
Bruington, VA · 4 mi
230857b
King And Queen Court House, VA · 6 mi
230867b
King William, VA · 7 mi
231157b
Millers Tavern, VA · 8 mi
224377b
Center Cross, VA · 8 mi
230917b
Little Plymouth, VA · 8 mi
231817b
West Point, VA · 9 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23161

What planting zone is ZIP code 23161?

ZIP code 23161 (Stevensville, 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 Stevensville, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23161 is April 7; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walkerton 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Stevensville, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23161 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23161?

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 23161 get?

About 45.6 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walkerton 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Stevensville, VA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 46 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23161 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Emporia at the center of ZIP 23161: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Stevensville, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23161 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stevensville, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23161 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 23161 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 23161 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.