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

Planting zone for 24463 — Mint Spring, VA

ZIP code 24463 (Mint Spring, 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 24463 is

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 Mint Spring, 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 Mint Spring, 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 — 3 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 24463

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 24463 came on Mar 9 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
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 Mint Spring, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24463 is Frederick — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Frederick-Christian gravelly silt loams, 7 to 15 percent slopes, 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 24463; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mint Spring, 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 30 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall22 inper year; 19 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: Staunton Wtp, VA (3 mi away); precipitation: Staunton Wtp, VA (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

Churchville, VA · 7 mi

244827a

Verona, VA · 8 mi

244677a

Mount Sidney, VA · 11 mi

229397a

Fishersville, VA · 11 mi

244117a

Augusta Springs, VA · 11 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24463

What planting zone is ZIP code 24463?

ZIP code 24463 (Mint Spring, 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 Mint Spring, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24463 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 Mint Spring, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24463 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24463?

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 24463 get?

About 40.6 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Staunton Wtp station).

How hot do summers get in Mint Spring, 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 24463 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Frederick at the center of ZIP 24463: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mint Spring, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24463 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mint Spring, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24463 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24463 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24463 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.