Frost dates for 26434Shirley, WV
The average last spring frost in Shirley is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (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 26 · May 12 · May 28 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 19 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 7 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shirley
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 25 |
| 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 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 25 |
| 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 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26434 is matched to the NOAA station Middlebourne 3 Ese, WV, 11.2 km away, at 779 ft elevation (54 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebourne 3 Ese, WV (used) | 779 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
| W Union 2, WV | 806 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 21 |
| Mannington 8 Wnw, WV | 1,100 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
| Hannibal Locks & Dam, OH | 620 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Shirley
- Alma, WV 26320 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Center Point, WV 26339 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Smithburg, WV 26436 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- West Union, WV 26456 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Middlebourne, WV 26149 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Jacksonburg, WV 26377 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Porters Falls, WV 26162 · last Apr 26, first Oct 26
- Reader, WV 26167 · last May 1, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shirley, WV?
- For ZIP code 26434, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Middlebourne 3 Ese, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Shirley, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26434?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.