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

Planting zone for 24641 — Richlands, VA

ZIP code 24641 (Richlands, 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 24641 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 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — a full 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 Richlands, 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 Richlands, 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 — within 1 mile, 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 24641

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 24641 came on Mar 6 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

average
Mar 172026
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 Richlands, VA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 24641 is Grimsley — loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Grimsley loam, 35 to 70 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 24641; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richlands, 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 36 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

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Richlands, VA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Richlands, VA (within 1 mile). 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.

Shortt Gap, VA · 5 mi

246377a

Pounding Mill, VA · 6 mi

246097a

Cedar Bluff, VA · 7 mi

246497a

Swords Creek, VA · 7 mi

246397a

Raven, VA · 7 mi

246226b

Jewell Ridge, VA · 7 mi

Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 24641

What planting zone is ZIP code 24641?

ZIP code 24641 (Richlands, 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 Richlands, VA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 24641 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 Richlands, VA?

The median first fall frost near 24641 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 24641?

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 24641 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 Richlands, 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 24641 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grimsley at the center of ZIP 24641: loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Richlands, VA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 24641 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richlands, VA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 24641 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 24641 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 24641 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.