Frost dates for 26436Smithburg, WV
The average last spring frost in Smithburg is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 23 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 16 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Oct 31 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · May 5 | Oct 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 10 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Smithburg
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26436 is matched to the NOAA station W Union 2, WV, 3 km away, at 806 ft elevation (9 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Union 2, WV (used) | 806 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 21 |
| Middlebourne 3 Ese, WV | 779 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
| Harrisville, WV | 823 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
| Clarksburg 1, WV | 990 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Smithburg
- West Union, WV 26456 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- New Milton, WV 26411 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Shirley, WV 26434 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Salem, WV 26426 · last Apr 22, first Oct 23
- Center Point, WV 26339 · last Apr 28, first Oct 21
- Pullman, WV 26421 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Alma, WV 26320 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Troy, WV 26443 · last Apr 23, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Smithburg, WV?
- For ZIP code 26436, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the W Union 2, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Smithburg, 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 26436?
- 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.