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

Planting zone for 24131 — Paint Bank, VA

ZIP code 24131 (Paint Bank, Craig County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 24131 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 frostMay 2

First frostOct 13

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 Paint Bank, 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 Paint Bank, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season165 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station White Sulphur Springs, WV — 16 miles away, elevation 1,919 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 24131

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 24131 came on Mar 8 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Mar 8

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.

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 Paint Bank, VA.

Soil in Paint Bank, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24131 is Berks — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter60%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berks-Weikert complex, 35 to 60 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 24131; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paint Bank, VA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,902base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 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

Precipitation42.5 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: White Sulphur Springs, WV (16 mi away); precipitation: Earlehurst, 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.

249416b

Gap Mills, WV · 7 mi

241277a

New Castle, VA · 7 mi

249846b

Waiteville, WV · 11 mi

249746b

Secondcreek, WV · 13 mi

241757b

Troutville, VA · 14 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24131

What planting zone is ZIP code 24131?

ZIP code 24131 (Paint Bank, 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 Paint Bank, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24131 is May 2; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White Sulphur Springs station.

When is the first frost in Paint Bank, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24131 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 165 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24131?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24131 get?

About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Earlehurst station).

How hot do summers get in Paint Bank, VA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24131 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 24131: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Paint Bank, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24131 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Paint Bank, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24131 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24131 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24131 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.