West Virginia Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for West Virginia gardeners.

Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a

The Short Answer

West Virginia spans USDA zones 5a through 7a, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Eastern Panhandle has an average last frost around Apr 20 - May 5, while Southern Valleys sees its last frost around Apr 10 - Apr 25. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

West Virginia Frost Dates by Region

Mountain climate with significant elevation variation. Cooler summers at altitude. Good rainfall. Microclimates in valleys.

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Eastern Panhandle 6a, 6b Apr 20 - May 5 Oct 5 - Oct 20
Central Mountains 5a, 5b, 6a May 1 - May 20 Sep 20 - Oct 10
Southern Valleys 6b, 7a Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 15 - Nov 1

Soil & Growing Conditions

Shale and sandstone soils. Acidic throughout. Thin mountain soils. Valleys have better soil depth. Raised beds often recommended.

What to Plant in West Virginia

West Virginia's four-season climate supports nearly everything in the garden. Your balanced growing conditions are the envy of both hotter and colder states. Here are the best performers:

Warm-Season Stars

TomatoesPeppersCucumbersSquash (Summer)Beans (Green/Snap)Corn (Sweet)EggplantWatermelon

Cool-Season & Year-Round

GarlicKaleLettuceBroccoliPeasCarrotsPotatoesSpinachBeetsOnionsCabbageCauliflower

Flowers, Herbs & More

BasilSunflowersZinniasMarigoldsLavenderDayliliesTulipsDaffodilsParsleyCilantro

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin Wyoming
Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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