When Is the Last Frost in West Virginia?
The average last spring frost in West Virginia falls between April 8 and May 5 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 23. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Apr 16 | May 5 | Oct 26 | 192 days |
| Huntington | Apr 12 | May 2 | Oct 30 | 200 days |
| Morgantown | Apr 23 | May 14 | Oct 24 | 182 days |
| Parkersburg | Apr 14 | May 2 | Oct 30 | 197 days |
| Wheeling | Apr 20 | May 6 | Oct 29 | 192 days |
| Martinsburg | Apr 17 | May 1 | Oct 23 | 187 days |
| Weirton | Apr 29 | May 15 | Oct 20 | 175 days |
| Fairmont | Apr 18 | May 9 | Oct 28 | 192 days |
| Beckley | May 6 | May 23 | Oct 10 | 156 days |
| Clarksburg | Apr 22 | May 11 | Oct 23 | 181 days |
| Bluefield | Apr 21 | May 11 | Oct 22 | 182 days |
| Hurricane | Apr 18 | May 6 | Oct 26 | 189 days |
| Elkins | May 5 | May 21 | Oct 12 | 159 days |
| Buckhannon | Apr 29 | May 16 | Oct 20 | 173 days |
| New Martinsville | Apr 26 | May 13 | Oct 26 | 182 days |
| Keyser | Apr 30 | May 19 | Oct 15 | 167 days |
| Point Pleasant | Apr 18 | May 4 | Oct 28 | 192 days |
| Ravenswood | Apr 23 | May 11 | Oct 21 | 178 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 99 West Virginia weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from April 7 at London Locks, WV to May 15 at Canaan Valley #2, WV. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in West Virginia?
The average first fall frost in West Virginia arrives between October 10 and November 1 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 21. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Charleston has a 10% chance of frost before October 13, Huntington has a 10% chance of frost before October 16 and Morgantown has a 10% chance of frost before October 11. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in West Virginia?
Transplant tomatoes in West Virginia 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 23 – Apr 30 in Charleston, Apr 19 – Apr 26 in Huntington and Apr 30 – May 7 in Morgantown. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after May 5 |
| Huntington | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | after May 2 |
| Morgantown | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 14 |
| Parkersburg | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | after May 2 |
| Wheeling | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 4 | after May 6 |
| Martinsburg | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 1 | after May 1 |
| Weirton | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 15 |
| Fairmont | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 2 | after May 9 |
| Beckley | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 20 | after May 23 |
| Clarksburg | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 11 |
| Bluefield | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 11 |
| Hurricane | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 2 | after May 6 |
| Elkins | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 19 | after May 21 |
| Buckhannon | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 16 |
| New Martinsville | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 10 | after May 13 |
| Keyser | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 19 |
| Point Pleasant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 2 | after May 4 |
| Ravenswood | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 11 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Charleston and When?
Charleston's average last frost of April 16 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from March 5, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 19, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 23.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 26 – Apr 2direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 7transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 7transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 23 – May 7direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 23 – May 7direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Charleston (last frost Apr 16, NOAA station Charleston Yeager AP, WV, 3 miles from ZIP 25301). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in West Virginia?
The frost-free growing season in West Virginia lasts about 159 to 205 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 180 days. Among the listed cities, Beckley has the shortest season at 156 days and Huntington the longest at 200.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in West Virginia range from 138 days at Canaan Valley #2, WV to 209 days at London Locks, WV. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in West Virginia?
West Virginia spans USDA hardiness zones 5b to 7a, with zone 7a the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The West Virginia planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in West Virginia?
- The average last spring frost in West Virginia falls between April 8 and May 5 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 23. Among major cities it ranges from April 12 in Huntington to May 6 in Beckley.
- When is the last frost in Charleston, West Virginia?
- Charleston's average last spring frost is April 16, and by May 5 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages October 26, giving a 192-day growing season (NOAA station Charleston Yeager AP, WV).
- When should you plant tomatoes in West Virginia?
- Transplant tomatoes in West Virginia 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 23 – Apr 30 in Charleston, Apr 19 – Apr 26 in Huntington and Apr 30 – May 7 in Morgantown. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in West Virginia?
- The average first fall frost in West Virginia arrives between October 10 and November 1 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 21. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in West Virginia?
- The frost-free growing season in West Virginia lasts about 159 to 205 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 180 days, from 156 days in Beckley to 200 days in Huntington.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.