Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 23303 — Atlantic, VA

ZIP code 23303 (Atlantic, Accomack County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 23303 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 31

First frostNov 11

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Atlantic, 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 Atlantic, 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 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA — 4 miles away, elevation 39 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 23303

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 16 – Sep 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 23303 came on Mar 9 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
Mar 9

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 8a in Virginia

646 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Atlantic, VA.

Soil in Atlantic, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23303 is Dragston — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Dragston fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 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 23303; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Atlantic, VA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,181base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 inper year; 6 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: Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA (4 mi away); precipitation: Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

234838a

Wattsville, VA · 3 mi

234428a

Temperanceville, VA · 3 mi

233968a

Oak Hall, VA · 3 mi

233378a

Wallops Island, VA · 3 mi

Mappsville, VA · 5 mi

234158a

New Church, VA · 5 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23303

What planting zone is ZIP code 23303?

ZIP code 23303 (Atlantic, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Atlantic, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23303 is March 31; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wallops Island Flight Fac station.

When is the first frost in Atlantic, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23303 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23303?

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 23303 get?

About 43.3 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wallops Island Flight Fac station).

How hot do summers get in Atlantic, VA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23303 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dragston at the center of ZIP 23303: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Atlantic, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23303 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Atlantic, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23303 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 23303 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 23303 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.