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

Planting zone for 23354 — Franktown, VA

ZIP code 23354 (Franktown, Northampton County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 23354 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 26

First frostNov 20

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Franktown, 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 Franktown, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season240 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Eastville, VA — 7 miles away, elevation 10 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 23354

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 25 – Oct 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 23354 came on Mar 8 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27).

average
Feb 272026
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 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 Franktown, VA.

Soil in Franktown, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23354 is Bojac — loamy sand, well drained.

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

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bojac loamy sand, 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 23354; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Franktown, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights53nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,529base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 45 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

Precipitation47.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall7 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: Eastville, VA (7 mi away); precipitation: Painter 2 W, VA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

234138a

Nassawadox, VA · 3 mi

233508a

Exmore, VA · 3 mi

233988a

Jamesville, VA · 4 mi

233078a

Birdsnest, VA · 4 mi

234088a

Marionville, VA · 4 mi

234828a

Wardtown, VA · 4 mi

234058a

Machipongo, VA · 5 mi

233458a

Davis Wharf, VA · 5 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23354

What planting zone is ZIP code 23354?

ZIP code 23354 (Franktown, 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 Franktown, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23354 is March 26; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eastville station.

When is the first frost in Franktown, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23354 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 240 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23354?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23354 get?

About 47.2 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Painter 2 W station).

How hot do summers get in Franktown, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23354 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bojac at the center of ZIP 23354: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Franktown, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23354 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 Franktown, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23354 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.