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

Planting zone for 23941 — Fort Mitchell, VA

ZIP code 23941 (Fort Mitchell, Lunenburg County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 23941 is

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 8

First frostNov 1

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 Fort Mitchell, 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 Fort Mitchell, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Keysville 2 S, VA — 7 miles away, elevation 627 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 23941

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 23941 came on Mar 3 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

average
Mar 12026
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 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.

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 Fort Mitchell, VA.

Soil in Fort Mitchell, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23941 is Orange — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Orange loam, 1 to 7 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 23941; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Mitchell, VA

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,123base 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

Precipitation45.8 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: Keysville 2 S, VA (7 mi away); precipitation: Saxe 4.3 Se, VA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

239377b

Drakes Branch, VA · 2 mi

239767b

Wylliesburg, VA · 7 mi

239477b

Keysville, VA · 7 mi

239247b

Chase City, VA · 7 mi

239677b

Saxe, VA · 8 mi

239527b

Lunenburg, VA · 11 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23941

What planting zone is ZIP code 23941?

ZIP code 23941 (Fort Mitchell, 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 Fort Mitchell, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23941 is April 8; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Keysville 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Fort Mitchell, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23941 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23941?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23941 get?

About 45.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saxe 4.3 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Mitchell, VA?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23941 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Orange at the center of ZIP 23941: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Fort Mitchell, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23941 came on Mar 3 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Mitchell, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23941 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 23941 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 23941 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.