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

Planting zone for 24426 — Covington, VA

ZIP code 24426 (Covington, Covington (city)) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 24426 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 27

First frostOct 18

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 Covington, 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 Covington, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Covington Fltr Plt, VA — 5 miles away, elevation 1,243 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 24426

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 24426 came on Mar 8 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
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).

Native plants for zone 7a in Virginia

618 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Covington, VA.

Soil in Covington, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24426 is Weikert — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Weikert-Rough complex, 55 to 80 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 24426; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Covington, VA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights119nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,124base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall10 inper year; 6 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: Covington Fltr Plt, VA (5 mi away); precipitation: Covington Fltr Plt, VA (5 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.

Eagle Rock, VA · 12 mi

249866b

White Sulphur Springs, WV · 12 mi

244387b

Glen Wilton, VA · 13 mi

244487a

Iron Gate, VA · 15 mi

241317a

Paint Bank, VA · 16 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24426

What planting zone is ZIP code 24426?

ZIP code 24426 (Covington, 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 Covington, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24426 is April 27; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Covington Fltr Plt station.

When is the first frost in Covington, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24426 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24426?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24426 get?

About 39.5 inches of precipitation a year and 10 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Covington Fltr Plt station).

How hot do summers get in Covington, VA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24426 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Weikert at the center of ZIP 24426: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Covington, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24426 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Covington, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24426 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24426 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24426 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.