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

Planting zone for 23832 — Chesterfield, VA

ZIP code 23832 (Chesterfield, Chesterfield County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 23832 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostApr 3
First frostNov 3
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 21
Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Petersburg, VA — 15 miles away, elevation 20 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 23832

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 23832 came on Mar 6 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

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 7b in Virginia

629 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 89

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 133

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 200

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 181

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Chesterfield, VA.

Soil in Chesterfield, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23832 is Appling — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately 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: Appling sandy loam, 6 to 12 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 23832; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chesterfield, VA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights85nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,497base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 29 °F 52°29° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 31 °F 53°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Petersburg, VA (15 mi away); precipitation: Chesterfield 8.5 Wsw, VA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

232977b
Richmond, VA · 2 mi
231127b
Midlothian, VA · 5 mi
238387b
Chesterfield, VA · 5 mi
232367b
Richmond, VA · 6 mi
232377b
Richmond, VA · 7 mi
231147b
Midlothian, VA · 8 mi
232347b
Richmond, VA · 8 mi
238317b
Chester, VA · 8 mi

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

Questions about 23832

What planting zone is ZIP code 23832?

ZIP code 23832 (Chesterfield, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Chesterfield, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23832 is April 3; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Petersburg station.

When is the first frost in Chesterfield, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23832 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23832?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23832 get?

About 45.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chesterfield 8.5 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Chesterfield, VA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23832 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Appling at the center of ZIP 23832: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Chesterfield, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23832 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chesterfield, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23832 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 23832 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 23832 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.