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

Planting zone for 24374 — Speedwell, VA

ZIP code 24374 (Speedwell, Wythe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 24374 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 16
First frostOct 27
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 Speedwell, 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 Speedwell, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Elk Creek 4ssw, VA — 8 miles away, elevation 3,438 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 24374

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 24374 came on Mar 8 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

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 Speedwell, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24374 is Marbleyard — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter69%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Marbleyard very cobbly sandy loam, 35 to 60 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 24374; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Speedwell, VA

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights89nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,822base 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
Precipitation48.9 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 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 41 °F 62°41° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 52 °F 69°52° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 59 °F 76°59° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 63 °F 79°63° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 61 °F 77°61° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 55 °F 72°55° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 44 °F 63°44° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elk Creek 4ssw, VA (8 mi away); precipitation: Fries 6.9 Wsw, VA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

243267a
Elk Creek, VA · 5 mi
243237a
Crockett, VA · 6 mi
243227a
Cripple Creek, VA · 6 mi
243687a
Rural Retreat, VA · 9 mi
243487a
Independence, VA · 9 mi
243757a
Sugar Grove, VA · 10 mi
243307a
Fries, VA · 12 mi
243117a
Atkins, VA · 12 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24374

What planting zone is ZIP code 24374?

ZIP code 24374 (Speedwell, 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 Speedwell, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24374 is April 16; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elk Creek 4ssw station.

When is the first frost in Speedwell, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24374 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24374?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24374 get?

About 48.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fries 6.9 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Speedwell, 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 24374 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Marbleyard at the center of ZIP 24374: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Speedwell, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24374 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 Speedwell, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24374 is 14 h 41 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24374 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24374 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.