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

Planting zone for 24244 — Duffield, VA

ZIP code 24244 (Duffield, Scott County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 24244 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 20
First frostOct 23
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 Duffield, 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 Duffield, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Big Stone Gap, VA — 11 miles away, elevation 1,467 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 24244

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 24244 came on Mar 2 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

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 Duffield, VA

The center of ZIP 24244 is mapped as Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 55 percent slopes: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 24244; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Duffield, VA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,474base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 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
Precipitation56 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall9 inper year; 5 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 24 °F 44°24° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 27 °F 48°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.87 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 4.9❄3 JanFebruary: 4.95 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 5.0❄3 FebMarch: 5.38 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 5.4❄1 MarApril: 5.03 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 5.49 in precipitation 5.5 JulAugust: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 3.66 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.7 NovDecember: 5.53 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 5.5❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Big Stone Gap, VA (11 mi away); precipitation: Big Stone Gap, VA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

242437a
Dryden, VA · 8 mi
242197a
Big Stone Gap, VA · 9 mi
242467a
East Stone Gap, VA · 11 mi
242657a
Keokee, VA · 12 mi
242517a
Gate City, VA · 12 mi
242217a
Blackwater, VA · 12 mi
242777a
Pennington Gap, VA · 12 mi
242507a
Fort Blackmore, VA · 12 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24244

What planting zone is ZIP code 24244?

ZIP code 24244 (Duffield, 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 Duffield, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24244 is April 20; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Stone Gap station.

When is the first frost in Duffield, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24244 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24244?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24244 get?

About 56 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Stone Gap station).

How hot do summers get in Duffield, VA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Duffield, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24244 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Duffield, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24244 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24244 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24244 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.