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

Planting zone for 24088 — Ferrum, VA

ZIP code 24088 (Ferrum, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 24088 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 14
First frostOct 31
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 Ferrum, 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 Ferrum, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season199 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Philpott Dam 2, VA — 8 miles away, elevation 1,122 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 24088

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 24088 came on Mar 4 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).

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 Ferrum, VA.

Soil in Ferrum, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24088 is Clifford — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Clifford fine sandy loam, 8 to 15 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 24088; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ferrum, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights95nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,012base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 38 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation53.8 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 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 28 °F 52°28° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 61 °F 85°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 JanFebruary: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 MarApril: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 6.13 in precipitation 6.1 SepOctober: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Philpott Dam 2, VA (8 mi away); precipitation: Copper Hill 6.2 S, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

241027b
Henry, VA · 5 mi
240557b
Bassett, VA · 10 mi
240677b
Callaway, VA · 10 mi
240797a
Copper Hill, VA · 12 mi
241857b
Woolwine, VA · 12 mi
241467b
Redwood, VA · 12 mi
241687b
Stanleytown, VA · 13 mi
241517b
Rocky Mount, VA · 13 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24088

What planting zone is ZIP code 24088?

ZIP code 24088 (Ferrum, 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 Ferrum, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24088 is April 14; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Philpott Dam 2 station.

When is the first frost in Ferrum, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24088 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 199 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24088?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24088 get?

About 53.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Copper Hill 6.2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Ferrum, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24088 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clifford at the center of ZIP 24088: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ferrum, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24088 came on Mar 4 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ferrum, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24088 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24088 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24088 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.