When to Plant in West Virginia: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 738 West Virginia ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 23 and the median first fall frost is Oct 21 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 6 areas: May 3 – May 10; Zone 7 areas: Apr 23 – Apr 30.
West Virginia spans USDA hardiness zones 5b–7a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 738 of its 738 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 23 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Apr 8 – May 5) and the median first fall frost is Oct 21 (Oct 10 – Nov 1). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
West Virginia frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 (398 ZIP codes) | Beckley Va Hospital, WV, Oak Hill, WV, Clarksburg 1, WV | Apr 26middle 80%: Apr 20 – May 6 | Oct 19middle 80%: Oct 10 – Oct 28 |
| Zone 7 (330 ZIP codes) | London Locks, WV, Logan, WV, Madison 3Nnw, WV | Apr 16middle 80%: Apr 8 – Apr 26 | Oct 26middle 80%: Oct 17 – Nov 2 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each West Virginia ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (6 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Carpenter 2 S, OH, Cumberland 2, MD, Gallipolis, OH, Gathright Dam, VA, Grundy, VA, Hannibal Locks & Dam, OH…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
West Virginia vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of West Virginia, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 6 areasLast frost Apr 26 · First frost Oct 19 | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 16 · First frost Oct 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) May 14 – Jun 17 | Mar 5 – Mar 19Harvest (est.) May 4 – Jun 7 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – May 28 | Mar 5 – Mar 19Harvest (est.) Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Mar 22 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Apr 11 – May 12 | Mar 12 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 28 – Jul 1 | Mar 19 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Aug 10 | Mar 19 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 21 | Mar 19 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) May 8 – Jun 11 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jul 11 | Mar 19 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) May 28 – Jul 1 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 16 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Apr 12 – Apr 19Harvest (est.) Jul 6 – Aug 7 | Apr 2 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 28 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Aug 8 | Apr 23 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) Jul 2 – Jul 29 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 19 | Apr 23 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jul 7 – Aug 8 | Apr 23 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) Jun 27 – Jul 29 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jul 14 | Apr 23 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) Jun 2 – Jul 4 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jun 29 | Apr 23 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) Jun 2 – Jun 19 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 22 – Aug 25 | Apr 23 – May 7Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Aug 15 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 3 – May 10Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Jun 21 | Apr 23 – Apr 30Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 14 – Jul 31 | Apr 30 – May 7Harvest (est.) Jul 4 – Jul 21 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 10 – May 17Harvest (est.) Jul 19 – Aug 15 | Apr 30 – May 7Harvest (est.) Jul 9 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 27 – Aug 10Harvest (est.) Sep 15 – Oct 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 17Harvest (est.) Sep 22 – Oct 26 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 27 – Aug 10Harvest (est.) Oct 5 – Nov 8 | Aug 3 – Aug 17Harvest (est.) Oct 12 – Nov 15 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 10 – Aug 24Harvest (est.) Sep 29 – Nov 2 | Aug 17 – Aug 31Harvest (est.) Oct 6 – Nov 9 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 24 – Sep 7Harvest (est.) Oct 23 – Nov 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 14Harvest (est.) Oct 30 – Dec 3 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Aug 31 – Sep 21Harvest (est.) Oct 15 – Nov 20 | Sep 7 – Sep 28Harvest (est.) Oct 22 – Nov 27 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 7 – Sep 21Harvest (est.) Sep 27 – Oct 21 | Sep 14 – Sep 28Harvest (est.) Oct 4 – Oct 28 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 21 – Nov 2 | Sep 28 – Nov 9 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 5 – Nov 16 | Oct 12 – Nov 23 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 5 – Nov 9Harvest (est.) Jun 12, 2027 – Aug 6, 2027 | Oct 12 – Nov 16Harvest (est.) Jun 19, 2027 – Aug 13, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
West Virginia USDA zone guides: Zone 5 planting guide Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for West Virginia gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
Across the 738 West Virginia ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 23, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Apr 8 to May 5. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in West Virginia?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 6 areas: May 3 – May 10; Zone 7 areas: Apr 23 – Apr 30.
What USDA zone is West Virginia?
West Virginia spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 5b–7a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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