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

Planting zone for 24318 — Ceres, VA

ZIP code 24318 (Ceres, Bland County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 24318 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 9

First frostOct 6

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ceres, 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 Ceres, 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 — 7 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 24318

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 24318 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).

Soil in Ceres, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24318 is Calvin — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Calvin channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony.

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 24318; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ceres, 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 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation47.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall47 inper year; 40 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Burkes Garden, VA (7 mi away); precipitation: Burkes Garden, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

246086b

Burkes Garden, VA · 8 mi

Rural Retreat, VA · 9 mi

243776b

Tannersville, VA · 10 mi

246306b

North Tazewell, VA · 13 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24318

What planting zone is ZIP code 24318?

ZIP code 24318 (Ceres, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Ceres, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24318 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 Ceres, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24318 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24318?

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 24318 get?

About 47.6 inches of precipitation a year and 47 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burkes Garden station).

How hot do summers get in Ceres, VA?

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

What kind of soil does 24318 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Calvin at the center of ZIP 24318: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ceres, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24318 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 Ceres, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24318 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24318 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24318 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.