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

Planting zone for 24637 — Pounding Mill, VA

ZIP code 24637 (Pounding Mill, Tazewell County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 24637 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 27
First frostOct 18
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 Pounding Mill, 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 Pounding Mill, VA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Richlands, VA — 5 miles away, elevation 1,910 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 24637

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25
BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 24637 came on Mar 7 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

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 7a in Virginia

618 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 87

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 129

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 197

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 179

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Pounding Mill, VA.

Soil in Pounding Mill, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24637 is Westmoreland — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Westmoreland-Poplimento-Berks complex, 35 to 65 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 24637; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pounding Mill, VA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,209base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 43 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation44.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall18 inper year; 14 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 23 °F 44°23° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 25 °F 48°25° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 39 °F 66°39° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 31 °F 57°31° NovDecember: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.35 in precipitation, 6.3 in snowfall 3.4❄6 JanFebruary: 3.28 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 3.3❄4 FebMarch: 4.02 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 4.0❄3 MarApril: 3.98 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.0 AprMay: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 2.77 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 2.8 NovDecember: 3.78 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 3.8❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Richlands, VA (5 mi away); precipitation: Richlands, VA (5 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.

246097a
Cedar Bluff, VA · 5 mi
246417a
Richlands, VA · 6 mi
243166b
Broadford, VA · 8 mi
246126b
Doran, VA · 8 mi
246027a
Bandy, VA · 9 mi
243776b
Tannersville, VA · 9 mi
246407a
Red Ash, VA · 9 mi
246197a
Horsepen, VA · 10 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24637

What planting zone is ZIP code 24637?

ZIP code 24637 (Pounding Mill, 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 Pounding Mill, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24637 is April 27; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richlands station.

When is the first frost in Pounding Mill, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24637 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24637?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 24637 get?

About 44.6 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richlands station).

How hot do summers get in Pounding Mill, VA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 24637 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Westmoreland at the center of ZIP 24637: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Pounding Mill, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24637 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pounding Mill, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24637 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24637 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24637 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.