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

Planting zone for 24413 — Blue Grass, VA

ZIP code 24413 (Blue Grass, Highland County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 24413 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 9

First frostOct 5

2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Blue Grass, 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 Blue Grass, 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 5median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Bartow 1s, WV — 12 miles away, elevation 3,025 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 24413

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 10 – Aug 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 24413 came on Mar 15 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

average
Apr 12026
Mar 15

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).

Native plants for zone 6a in Virginia

570 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Blue Grass, VA.

Soil in Blue Grass, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24413 is Frederick — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Frederick-Watahala complex, 8 to 15 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 24413; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Blue Grass, VA

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,163base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall67 inper year; 65 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: Bartow 1s, WV (12 mi away); precipitation: Bartow 1s, WV (12 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.

Sugar Grove, WV · 10 mi

249205b

Bartow, WV · 12 mi

268046a

Circleville, WV · 12 mi

244586b

Mc Dowell, VA · 13 mi

249156a

Arbovale, WV · 13 mi

244426b

Head Waters, VA · 13 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24413

What planting zone is ZIP code 24413?

ZIP code 24413 (Blue Grass, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Blue Grass, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24413 is May 9; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bartow 1s station.

When is the first frost in Blue Grass, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24413 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 149 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24413?

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 24413 get?

About 43.8 inches of precipitation a year and 67 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bartow 1s station).

How hot do summers get in Blue Grass, VA?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24413 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Frederick at the center of ZIP 24413: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Blue Grass, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24413 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Blue Grass, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24413 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.