Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 26291 (Pocahontas County, WV)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Snowshoe, WV (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)147 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
57°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Elkins 21 ENE (51 mi), Shenandoah (59 mi).
4-inch depth
60°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 56°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Elkins 21 ENE (51 mi), Shenandoah (59 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 26291 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 60°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Jun 27 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 12 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 29 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 7 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 19 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 22 | Sep 29 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 12 | Oct 7 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 2 | Oct 17 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 26291
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 7). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 17–31 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 3–17 | May 26–Jun 9 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 3–17 | May 26–Jun 9 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 17–31 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 17–31 | Apr 21–May 12 (transplant) Apr 14–May 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (transplant) Jul 29–Aug 26 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 2 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 17–31 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) Jul 1–29 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 17–31 | Apr 14–May 12 (transplant) Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) Jul 1–29 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 3–17 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 3–17 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | Jul 1–29 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jun 17–Jul 8 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 17–31 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 14–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 31–Apr 14 | Apr 28–May 19 (transplant) Apr 28–May 26 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 21–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 7–May 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 14–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 21–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 15–29 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jun 17–Jul 1 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 26–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 14–21 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 14–21 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 14–21 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 14–21 | May 26–Jun 9 (transplant) May 26–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 14–21 | May 26–Jun 9 (transplant) May 26–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 31–Apr 14 | May 26–Jun 9 (transplant) May 26–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 17–Mar 3 | May 19–26 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 31–Apr 14 | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) May 19–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 28–May 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 21–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 26 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Snowshoe, WV (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00468308), elevation 4,847 ft, 5.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kumbrabow, WV | 13 mi | May 7 | Oct 6 |
| Marlinton, WV | 15 mi | May 11 | Oct 6 |
| Pickens 2 N, WV | 17 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 18 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 26291
When is the last frost in 26291?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 26291 is May 12. For a more cautious planting date, use May 29, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 26291?
The average first fall freeze is October 7. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 24.
What hardiness zone is 26291?
ZIP 26291 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 26291 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
26209 26282 26294 Valley Head 24927 Cass 26298 Bergoo 24934 26230 Pickens 26288 Addison (Webster Springs)
Other ZIP codes in Pocahontas County
24915 24920 24924 24927 24934 24944 24946 24954 26209 26264 All Pocahontas County frost dates · West Virginia frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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