Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 23181 — West Point, VA

ZIP code 23181 (West Point, King William County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 23181 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 6

First frostNov 1

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 West Point, 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 West Point, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station W Pt 2 Nw, VA — 6 miles away, elevation 20 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 23181

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

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 6) 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 23181 came on Mar 8 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Mar 8

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.

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 West Point, VA.

Soil in West Point, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23181 is Remlik — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Remlik and Nevarc soils, 15 to 60 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 23181; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Point, VA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,559base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation47.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall10 inper year; 5 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: W Pt 2 Nw, VA (6 mi away); precipitation: W Pt 2 Nw, VA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

230917b

Little Plymouth, VA · 6 mi

231107b

Mattaponi, VA · 7 mi

230857b

King And Queen Court House, VA · 7 mi

230897b

Lanexa, VA · 8 mi

231617b

Stevensville, VA · 9 mi

231247b

New Kent, VA · 9 mi

230117b

Barhamsville, VA · 9 mi

231087b

Mascot, VA · 10 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23181

What planting zone is ZIP code 23181?

ZIP code 23181 (West Point, 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 West Point, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23181 is April 6; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Pt 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in West Point, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23181 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23181?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23181 get?

About 47.9 inches of precipitation a year and 10 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Pt 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in West Point, VA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23181 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Remlik at the center of ZIP 23181: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in West Point, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23181 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 West Point, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23181 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.