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

Planting zone for 24311 — Atkins, VA

ZIP code 24311 (Atkins, Smyth County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 24311 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 9
First frostOct 6
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 Atkins, 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 Atkins, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Burkes Garden, VA — 16 miles away, elevation 3,068 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 24311

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 24311 came on Mar 8 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

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 Atkins, VA

The center of ZIP 24311 is mapped as Udorthents-Urban land complex, 0 to 25 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 24311; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Atkins, VA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,370base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 41 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
Precipitation45.6 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 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 29 °F 52°29° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 24 °F 43°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Burkes Garden, VA (16 mi away); precipitation: Marion 2.4 Ene, VA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

243687a
Rural Retreat, VA · 6 mi
243757a
Sugar Grove, VA · 7 mi
243547a
Marion, VA · 8 mi
243186b
Ceres, VA · 9 mi
243237a
Crockett, VA · 11 mi
243747a
Speedwell, VA · 12 mi
243786b
Troutdale, VA · 12 mi
243776b
Tannersville, VA · 13 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24311

What planting zone is ZIP code 24311?

ZIP code 24311 (Atkins, 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 Atkins, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24311 is May 9; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burkes Garden station.

When is the first frost in Atkins, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24311 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24311?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24311 get?

About 45.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marion 2.4 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Atkins, VA?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Atkins, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24311 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Atkins, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24311 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24311 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24311 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.