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

Planting zone for 24581 — Norwood, VA

ZIP code 24581 (Norwood, Nelson County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 24581 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 15
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 Norwood, 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 Norwood, 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 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Tye Rvr 1 Se, VA — 7 miles away, elevation 722 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 24581

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 · 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 15) 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 24581 came on Mar 7 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).

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 Norwood, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24581 is Bugley — channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bugley channery silt loam, 25 to 50 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 24581; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Norwood, VA

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low26 °Faverage low, January
Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights105nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,955base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 46 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
Precipitation46.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 28 °F 52°28° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tye Rvr 1 Se, VA (7 mi away); precipitation: Tye Rvr 1 Se, 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.

245997b
Wingina, VA · 5 mi
229717b
Shipman, VA · 6 mi
229227b
Arrington, VA · 7 mi
245537b
Gladstone, VA · 8 mi
229497b
Lovingston, VA · 10 mi
245627a
Howardsville, VA · 11 mi
239217b
Buckingham, VA · 11 mi
245337b
Clifford, VA · 11 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24581

What planting zone is ZIP code 24581?

ZIP code 24581 (Norwood, 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 Norwood, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24581 is April 15; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tye Rvr 1 Se station.

When is the first frost in Norwood, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24581 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24581?

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 24581 get?

About 46.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tye Rvr 1 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Norwood, 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 24581 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bugley at the center of ZIP 24581: channery silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Norwood, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24581 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Norwood, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24581 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24581 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24581 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.