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

Planting zone for 23430 — Smithfield, VA

ZIP code 23430 (Smithfield, Isle of Wight County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 23430 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 1

First frostNov 9

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 Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Newport News Intl Airport, VA — 13 miles away, elevation 43 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 23430

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 23430 came on Mar 3 — 12 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

average
Feb 192026
Mar 3

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 Smithfield, VA.

Soil in Smithfield, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23430 is Emporia — 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 classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Emporia fine sandy loam, 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 23430; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Smithfield, VA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights64nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,627base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Newport News Intl Airport, VA (13 mi away); precipitation: Smithfield 1.3 Sw, VA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

233048a

Battery Park, VA · 5 mi

234248b

Rescue, VA · 5 mi

233978a

Isle Of Wight, VA · 7 mi

234318a

Smithfield, VA · 7 mi

233148b

Carrollton, VA · 8 mi

236048a

Fort Eustis, VA · 9 mi

236068a

Newport News, VA · 9 mi

238838a

Surry, VA · 10 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Smithfield → · Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23430

What planting zone is ZIP code 23430?

ZIP code 23430 (Smithfield, 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 Smithfield, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23430 is April 1; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newport News Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Smithfield, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23430 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23430?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23430 get?

About 52.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Smithfield 1.3 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Smithfield, VA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23430 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Emporia at the center of ZIP 23430: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Smithfield, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23430 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 12 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Smithfield, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23430 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.