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

Planting zone for 24448 — Iron Gate, VA

ZIP code 24448 (Iron Gate, Alleghany County) 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 24448 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 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Iron Gate, 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 Iron Gate, 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 — 11 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 24448

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 24448 came on Mar 7 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

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 Iron Gate, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24448 is Shelocta — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shelocta-Berks complex, 15 to 35 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 24448; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Iron Gate, 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
Precipitation43.9 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 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 30 °F 54°30° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 39 °F 66°39° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 2.96 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Covington Fltr Plt, VA (11 mi away); precipitation: Covington 4.1 E, VA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

244227a
Clifton Forge, VA · 3 mi
244747a
Selma, VA · 3 mi
244387b
Glen Wilton, VA · 3 mi
244577a
Low Moor, VA · 4 mi
240857b
Eagle Rock, VA · 9 mi
244456b
Hot Springs, VA · 12 mi
244507a
Lexington, VA · 13 mi
244267a
Covington, VA · 15 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24448

What planting zone is ZIP code 24448?

ZIP code 24448 (Iron Gate, 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 Iron Gate, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24448 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 Iron Gate, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24448 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24448?

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 24448 get?

About 43.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Covington 4.1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Iron Gate, 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 24448 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shelocta at the center of ZIP 24448: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Iron Gate, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24448 came on Mar 7 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Iron Gate, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24448 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.