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

Planting zone for 24147 — Rich Creek, VA

ZIP code 24147 (Rich Creek, Giles County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 24147 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 30
First frostOct 10
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 Rich Creek, 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 Rich Creek, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Athens, WV — 11 miles away, elevation 2,497 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 24147

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 24147 came on Mar 7 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

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).

Soil in Rich Creek, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24147 is Gilpin — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.25%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gilpin silt loam, 30 to 65 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 24147; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rich Creek, VA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,943base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 45 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation38.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 22 °F 43°22° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 30 °F 53°30° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 40 °F 66°40° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 31 °F 57°31° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 JanFebruary: 2.42 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 MarApril: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 4.69 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.86 in precipitation 2.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Athens, WV (11 mi away); precipitation: Glen Lyn, VA (2 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.

240937a
Glen Lyn, VA · 3 mi
249637a
Peterstown, WV · 4 mi
247327a
Kellysville, WV · 7 mi
241247a
Narrows, VA · 7 mi
259797a
Pipestem, WV · 9 mi
249187a
Ballard, WV · 9 mi
259716b
Lerona, WV · 10 mi
247397a
Princeton, WV · 10 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24147

What planting zone is ZIP code 24147?

ZIP code 24147 (Rich Creek, 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 Rich Creek, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24147 is April 30; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Athens station.

When is the first frost in Rich Creek, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24147 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24147?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24147 get?

About 38.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glen Lyn station).

How hot do summers get in Rich Creek, VA?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24147 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 24147: silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rich Creek, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24147 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rich Creek, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24147 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24147 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24147 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.