Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 24605 — Bluefield, VA

ZIP code 24605 (Bluefield, Tazewell County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 24605 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 frostApr 30

First frostOct 15

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bluefield, 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 Bluefield, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season168 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Bluefield, WV — 8 miles away, elevation 2,871 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 24605

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 24605 came on Mar 8 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

average
Mar 172026
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 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 Bluefield, VA.

Soil in Bluefield, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24605 is Wallen — channery sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureChannery sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wallen channery sandy loam, 35 to 65 percent slopes, very stony.

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 24605; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bluefield, VA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights128nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,890base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 44 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 36 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

Snowfall40 inper year; 38 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: Bluefield, WV (8 mi away); precipitation: Bluefield, WV (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

246136b

Falls Mills, VA · 3 mi

246067a

Boissevain, VA · 4 mi

248487a

Jenkinjones, WV · 5 mi

246357a

Pocahontas, VA · 5 mi

North Tazewell, VA · 7 mi

248087a

Anawalt, WV · 7 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24605

What planting zone is ZIP code 24605?

ZIP code 24605 (Bluefield, 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 Bluefield, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24605 is April 30; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bluefield station.

When is the first frost in Bluefield, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24605 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24605?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24605 get?

About 45.4 inches of precipitation a year and 40 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bluefield station).

How hot do summers get in Bluefield, VA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24605 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wallen at the center of ZIP 24605: channery sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bluefield, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24605 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bluefield, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24605 is 14 h 44 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.