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

Planting zone for 23401 — Keller, VA

ZIP code 23401 (Keller, Accomack County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 23401 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 frostApr 4
First frostNov 7
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 Keller, 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 Keller, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 26
Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Painter 2 W, VA — 4 miles away, elevation 30 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 23401

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 23401 came on Mar 8 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

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 Keller, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23401 is Munden — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Munden 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 23401; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Keller, VA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights61nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,422base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 46 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
Precipitation47.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall7 inper year; 5 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 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F 68°47° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 65 °F 83°65° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 67 °F 86°67° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 62 °F 80°62° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 51 °F 71°51° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 41 °F 60°41° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.55 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 3.5❄3 JanFebruary: 3.07 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 3.1❄2 FebMarch: 3.96 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 4.0❄1 MarApril: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.94 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 3.9❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Painter 2 W, VA (4 mi away); precipitation: Painter 2 W, VA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

234108a
Melfa, VA · 2 mi
234228a
Pungoteague, VA · 2 mi
234208a
Painter, VA · 3 mi
233898a
Harborton, VA · 4 mi
234808a
Wachapreague, VA · 5 mi
233588a
Hacksneck, VA · 5 mi
233418a
Craddockville, VA · 6 mi
234188a
Onley, VA · 6 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23401

What planting zone is ZIP code 23401?

ZIP code 23401 (Keller, 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 Keller, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23401 is April 4; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Painter 2 W station.

When is the first frost in Keller, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23401 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23401?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23401 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 Keller, VA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23401 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Munden at the center of ZIP 23401: sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Keller, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23401 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Keller, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23401 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.