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

Planting zone for 23440 — Tangier, VA

ZIP code 23440 (Tangier, 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 23440 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 Tangier, 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 Tangier, 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 — 19 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 23440

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 23440 came on Mar 10 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
Mar 10

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 Tangier, VA.

Soil in Tangier, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23440 is Melfa — mucky peat, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter40%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Melfa-Hobucken complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 23440; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tangier, 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 47 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

Precipitation48.8 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: Painter 2 W, VA (19 mi away); precipitation: Onley 0.6 Se, VA (18 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Crisfield, MD · 14 mi

233588a

Hacksneck, VA · 14 mi

234178a

Onancock, VA · 14 mi

233898a

Harborton, VA · 15 mi

234278a

Saxis, VA · 16 mi

234228a

Pungoteague, VA · 16 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23440

What planting zone is ZIP code 23440?

ZIP code 23440 (Tangier, 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 Tangier, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23440 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 Tangier, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23440 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23440?

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 23440 get?

About 48.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Onley 0.6 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Tangier, 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 23440 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Melfa at the center of ZIP 23440: mucky peat, very poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Tangier, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23440 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tangier, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23440 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.