Frost dates for 26234Rock Cave, WV
The average last spring frost in Rock Cave is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 21 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 25 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 15 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rock Cave
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26234 is matched to the NOAA station Rock Cave 2 Ne, WV, 8.4 km away, at 1,749 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Cave 2 Ne, WV (used) | 1,749 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 21 |
| Pickens 2 N, WV | 2,880 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Hacker Valley, WV | 1,582 ft | May 7 | Oct 10 |
| Buckhannon, WV | 1,455 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Rock Cave
- Kanawha Head, WV 26228 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Selbyville, WV 26236 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Cleveland, WV 26215 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Ireland, WV 26376 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Crawford, WV 26343 · last Apr 26, first Oct 23
- Adrian, WV 26210 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- French Creek, WV 26218 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Frenchton, WV 26219 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rock Cave, WV?
- For ZIP code 26234, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rock Cave 2 Ne, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Rock Cave, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26234?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.