Frost dates for 26719Fort Ashby, WV
The average last spring frost in Fort Ashby is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 13 · Apr 29 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · May 5 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Ashby
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 26719 is matched to the NOAA station Cumberland 2, MD, 16.2 km away, at 730 ft elevation (123 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland 2, MD (used) | 730 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| Romney 1 Sw, WV | 720 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
| Keyser 2 Ssw, WV | 965 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Frostburg 2, MD | 2,170 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Fort Ashby
- Ridgeley, WV 26753 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Springfield, WV 26763 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Spring Gap, MD 21560 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Pinto, MD 21556 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Keyser, WV 26726 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Rawlings, MD 21557 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Cumberland, MD 21504 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Green Spring, WV 26722 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Ashby, WV?
- For ZIP code 26719, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cumberland 2, MD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Fort Ashby, WV?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 26719?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.