Frost dates for 26610Birch River, WV
The average last spring frost in Birch River is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 8 · May 27 | Sep 28 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 16 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Birch River
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26610 is matched to the NOAA station Summersville Lake, WV, 32.8 km away, at 1,768 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summersville Lake, WV (used) | 1,768 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 19 |
| Sutton Lake, WV | 868 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 28 |
| Gassaway, WV | 848 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 25 |
| Webster Springs 8 N, WV | 1,850 ft | May 4 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Birch River
- Dille, WV 26617 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Widen, WV 25211 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
- Little Birch, WV 26629 · last Apr 22, first Oct 28
- Tioga, WV 26691 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Erbacon, WV 26203 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Calvin, WV 26660 · last May 5, first Oct 7
- Camden On Gauley, WV 26208 · last May 4, first Oct 12
- Frametown, WV 26623 · last Apr 20, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Birch River, WV?
- For ZIP code 26610, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Summersville Lake, WV weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Birch River, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. 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 26610?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.