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

Planting zone for 24574 — Monroe, VA

ZIP code 24574 (Monroe, Amherst County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 24574 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 17

First frostOct 25

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Monroe, 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 Monroe, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 12

Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Lynchburg #2, VA — 14 miles away, elevation 735 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 24574

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 24574 came on Mar 6 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
Mar 6

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 Monroe, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24574 is Wintergreen — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wintergreen clay loam, 2 to 7 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 24574; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Monroe, VA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights119nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,589base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall16 inper year; 5 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: Lynchburg #2, VA (14 mi away); precipitation: Pedlar Dam, VA (7 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.

245367b

Coleman Falls, VA · 7 mi

245267b

Big Island, VA · 8 mi

Sweet Briar, VA · 9 mi

245727b

Madison Heights, VA · 11 mi

244167a

Buena Vista, VA · 12 mi

245057b

Lynchburg, VA · 13 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24574

What planting zone is ZIP code 24574?

ZIP code 24574 (Monroe, VA) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Monroe, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24574 is April 17; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lynchburg #2 station.

When is the first frost in Monroe, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24574 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24574?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24574 get?

About 45.4 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pedlar Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Monroe, VA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24574 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wintergreen at the center of ZIP 24574: clay loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Monroe, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24574 came on Mar 6 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Monroe, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24574 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24574 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24574 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.