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

Planting zone for 23261 — Richmond, VA

ZIP code 23261 (Richmond, City of Richmond) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 23261 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 frostApr 3
First frostNov 4
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 23
Growing season215 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Richmond Intl Airport, VA — 8 miles away, elevation 164 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 23261

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 23261 came on Mar 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

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 Richmond, VA.

Soil in Richmond, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23261 is Turbeville — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly 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: Turbeville-Urban land complex, 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 23261; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richmond, VA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights74nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,543base 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
Precipitation47.1 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 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 SepOctober: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Richmond Intl Airport, VA (8 mi away); precipitation: Laurel 0.8 N, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

232607b
Richmond, VA · <1 mi
232697b
Richmond, VA · <1 mi
232827b
Richmond, VA · <1 mi
232957b
Richmond, VA · <1 mi
232207b
Richmond, VA · <1 mi
232197b
Richmond, VA · 2 mi
232217b
Richmond, VA · 2 mi
232737b
Henrico, VA · 2 mi

All 37 ZIP codes in Richmond → · Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23261

What planting zone is ZIP code 23261?

ZIP code 23261 (Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23261 is April 3; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richmond Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Richmond, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23261 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 215 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23261?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23261 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Laurel 0.8 N station).

How hot do summers get in Richmond, VA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 45 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23261 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Turbeville at the center of ZIP 23261: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Richmond, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23261 came on Mar 2 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richmond, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23261 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 23261 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 23261 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.