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

Planting zone for 24430 — Craigsville, VA

ZIP code 24430 (Craigsville, Augusta County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 24430 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 15
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 Craigsville, 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 Craigsville, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Staunton Wtp, VA — 16 miles away, elevation 171 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 24430

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
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 15) 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 24430 came on Mar 9 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

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.

Trees 87

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 129

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 197

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 179

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Craigsville, VA.

Soil in Craigsville, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24430 is Weikert — very channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureVery channery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Weikert very channery silt loam, 45 to 80 percent slopes, severely eroded.

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 24430; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Craigsville, VA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights106nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,434base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation43.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall22 inper year; 23 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.31 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 3.3❄7 JanFebruary: 2.88 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 2.9❄6 FebMarch: 3.59 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 3.6❄5 MarApril: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 3.09 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 3.1 NovDecember: 3.32 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 3.3❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Staunton Wtp, VA (16 mi away); precipitation: Craigsville 2 S, VA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

244117a
Augusta Springs, VA · 3 mi
244597a
Middlebrook, VA · 4 mi
244326b
Deerfield, VA · 7 mi
244797a
Swoope, VA · 8 mi
244397a
Goshen, VA · 9 mi
244767a
Steeles Tavern, VA · 10 mi
244737a
Rockbridge Baths, VA · 11 mi
244407a
Greenville, VA · 11 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24430

What planting zone is ZIP code 24430?

ZIP code 24430 (Craigsville, 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 Craigsville, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24430 is April 15; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Staunton Wtp station.

When is the first frost in Craigsville, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24430 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24430?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24430 get?

About 43.6 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Craigsville 2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Craigsville, VA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24430 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Weikert at the center of ZIP 24430: very channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Craigsville, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24430 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Craigsville, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24430 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24430 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24430 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.