Frost dates for 26294Valley Head, WV
The average last spring frost in Valley Head is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 6 · May 24 | Sep 23 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 13 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 30 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Valley Head
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26294 is matched to the NOAA station Pickens 2 N, WV, 21.6 km away, at 2,880 ft elevation (249 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickens 2 N, WV (used) | 2,880 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Kumbrabow, WV | 3,235 ft | May 7 | Oct 6 |
| Snowshoe, WV | 4,847 ft | May 12 | Oct 7 |
| Bartow 1S, WV | 3,025 ft | May 9 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Valley Head
- Monterville, WV 26282 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Snowshoe, WV 26209 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Cass, WV 24927 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Slatyfork, WV 26291 · last May 12, first Oct 7
- Huttonsville, WV 26273 · last May 5, first Oct 12
- Durbin, WV 26264 · last May 9, first Oct 5
- Pickens, WV 26230 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Bartow, WV 24920 · last May 9, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Valley Head, WV?
- For ZIP code 26294, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pickens 2 N, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Valley Head, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26294?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.