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

Planting zone for 24458 — Mc Dowell, VA

ZIP code 24458 (Mc Dowell, Highland County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 24458 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 8

First frostOct 5

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mc Dowell, 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 Mc Dowell, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Mustoe 1 Sw, VA — 8 miles away, elevation 2,369 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 24458

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

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 8) 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 24458 came on Mar 10 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 10

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 6b in Virginia

591 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Mc Dowell, VA.

Soil in Mc Dowell, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24458 is Gilpin — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Gilpin silt loam, 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 24458; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mc Dowell, VA

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,319base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall39 inper year; 33 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: Mustoe 1 Sw, VA (8 mi away); precipitation: Mustoe 1 Sw, VA (8 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.

244426b

Head Waters, VA · 8 mi

Williamsville, VA · 10 mi

244856b

West Augusta, VA · 11 mi

244136a

Blue Grass, VA · 13 mi

244326b

Deerfield, VA · 13 mi

268156b

Sugar Grove, WV · 14 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24458

What planting zone is ZIP code 24458?

ZIP code 24458 (Mc Dowell, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Mc Dowell, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24458 is May 8; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mustoe 1 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Mc Dowell, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24458 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24458?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24458 get?

About 46.9 inches of precipitation a year and 39 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mustoe 1 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Mc Dowell, VA?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24458 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 24458: silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mc Dowell, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24458 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mc Dowell, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24458 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24458 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24458 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.