Frost dates for 26143Elizabeth, WV
The average last spring frost in Elizabeth is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 27 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 19 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 10 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elizabeth
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26143 is matched to the NOAA station Sandyville 9 Ne, WV, 16.7 km away, at 668 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandyville 9 Ne, WV (used) | 668 ft | May 1 | Oct 14 |
| Creston, WV | 650 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 19 |
| Parkersburg, WV | 620 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 30 |
| Spencer, WV | 972 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Elizabeth
- Palestine, WV 26160 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Walker, WV 26180 · last Apr 14, first Oct 30
- Rockport, WV 26169 · last May 1, first Oct 14
- Munday, WV 26152 · last Apr 26, first Oct 20
- Mineral Wells, WV 26150 · last Apr 14, first Oct 30
- Davisville, WV 26142 · last Apr 14, first Oct 30
- Petroleum, WV 26161 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Reedy, WV 25270 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elizabeth, WV?
- For ZIP code 26143, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sandyville 9 Ne, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Elizabeth, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26143?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.