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

Planting zone for 23968 — Skipwith, VA

ZIP code 23968 (Skipwith, Mecklenburg County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 23968 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 6

First frostNov 1

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Skipwith, 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 Skipwith, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Chase City, VA — 4 miles away, elevation 509 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 23968

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

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 6) 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 23968 came on Mar 2 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

average
Feb 262026
Mar 2

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 Skipwith, VA.

Soil in Skipwith, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 23968 is Appling — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.8moderately 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 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 23968; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Skipwith, VA

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights94nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,354base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall5 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

239647b

Red Oak, VA · 8 mi

239247b

Chase City, VA · 9 mi

239277b

Clarksville, VA · 9 mi

245297b

Buffalo Junction, VA · 10 mi

239767b

Wylliesburg, VA · 10 mi

239177b

Boydton, VA · 11 mi

239157b

Baskerville, VA · 12 mi

245807b

Nelson, VA · 13 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 23968

What planting zone is ZIP code 23968?

ZIP code 23968 (Skipwith, 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 Skipwith, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 23968 is April 6; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chase City station.

When is the first frost in Skipwith, VA?

The median first fall frost near 23968 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 23968?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 23968 get?

About 46.4 inches of precipitation a year and 5 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chase City station).

How hot do summers get in Skipwith, VA?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 23968 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Appling at the center of ZIP 23968: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Skipwith, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 23968 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Skipwith, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 23968 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.