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

Planting zone for 24450 — Lexington, VA

ZIP code 24450 (Lexington, Lexington (city)) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 24450 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 23

First frostOct 23

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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 9

Growing season181 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Lexington, VA — 6 miles away, elevation 1,096 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 24450

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 24450 came on Mar 8 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
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 Lexington, VA.

Soil in Lexington, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24450 is Carbo — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Carbo-Opequon complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky.

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 24450; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lexington, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights119nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,613base 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

Precipitation42.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall14 inper year; 11 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: Lexington, VA (6 mi away); precipitation: Lexington, VA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

245787a

Natural Bridge, VA · 8 mi

245557a

Glasgow, VA · 9 mi

244167a

Buena Vista, VA · 11 mi

244227a

Clifton Forge, VA · 12 mi

244737a

Rockbridge Baths, VA · 13 mi

244487a

Iron Gate, VA · 13 mi

245797a

Natural Bridge Station, VA · 14 mi

244357a

Fairfield, VA · 14 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24450

What planting zone is ZIP code 24450?

ZIP code 24450 (Lexington, 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 Lexington, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24450 is April 23; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lexington station.

When is the first frost in Lexington, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24450 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 181 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24450?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24450 get?

About 42.9 inches of precipitation a year and 14 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lexington station).

How hot do summers get in Lexington, VA?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24450 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carbo at the center of ZIP 24450: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Lexington, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24450 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lexington, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24450 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.