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

Planting zone for 24127 — New Castle, VA

ZIP code 24127 (New Castle, Craig County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 24127 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 11
First frostOct 28
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for New Castle, 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 New Castle, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Roanoke 8 N, VA — 17 miles away, elevation 1,158 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 24127

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 24127 came on Mar 7 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

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 7a in Virginia

618 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 87

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 129

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 197

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 179

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 New Castle, VA.

Soil in New Castle, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24127 is Sherando — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter69%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sherando very cobbly sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly.

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 24127; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Castle, VA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,680base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 34 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation43.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 2.78 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Roanoke 8 N, VA (17 mi away); precipitation: New Castle, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

241317a
Paint Bank, VA · 7 mi
240707a
Catawba, VA · 7 mi
249846b
Waiteville, WV · 10 mi
249416b
Gap Mills, WV · 10 mi
241757b
Troutville, VA · 11 mi
241537b
Salem, VA · 13 mi
241557b
Salem, VA · 16 mi
241577b
Salem, VA · 16 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24127

What planting zone is ZIP code 24127?

ZIP code 24127 (New Castle, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in New Castle, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24127 is April 11; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Roanoke 8 N station.

When is the first frost in New Castle, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24127 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24127?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24127 get?

About 43.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Castle station).

How hot do summers get in New Castle, VA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24127 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sherando at the center of ZIP 24127: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in New Castle, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24127 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Castle, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24127 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24127 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24127 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.