Washington, WV frost dates
Last spring frostApr 14median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season199 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Washington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Washington falls between March 31 and May 2, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the West Virginia median of Apr 23.
- Its 199-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 745 West Virginia places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 105 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Washington, WV
Washington, WV frost dates — last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 30, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 19
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Washington, WV
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Parkersburg, WV weather station, 12 km away (elevation 620 ft (189 m)).
Frost dates near Washington
- Belleville May 1 · Oct 14
- Parkersburg Apr 14 · Oct 30
- Mineral Wells Apr 14 · Oct 30
- Davisville Apr 14 · Oct 30
- Rockport May 1 · Oct 14
- Vienna Apr 14 · Oct 30
- Walker Apr 14 · Oct 30
- Williamstown Apr 18 · Oct 27
- Waverly Apr 23 · Oct 22
- Elizabeth Apr 29 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Washington, WV?
The median last spring frost in Washington, WV is April 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Washington, WV?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Washington, WV?
About 199 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Washington, WV?
Washington, WV is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.