Frost Dates for Charleston, WV 25312
Charleston has 12 ZIP codes. The Charleston, WV frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 22 · First fall frost October 21 · 182 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 25312 has about 10,000 people, one of 12 ZIP codes in Charleston.
Long season: 182 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 7–May 8 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 7 (33 days).
Frost probability for 25312
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 8 | April 22 | April 7 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 21 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHARLESTON - YEAGER AP (10.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 182-day season in Charleston
In Charleston (182 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 18 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 11 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Feb 25–May 6 | 245 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 245 available after Feb 25. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Jan 28 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 217 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 25–Apr 15 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 25. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 25. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 287 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 18–May 13 | 238 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 18; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 29. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 8 | May 6–May 6 | 147 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 147 available after May 6. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 15. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 8 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 25. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 147 available after May 6. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 18 | May 13–May 13 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 25–Apr 15 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 29. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 13 | 182 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 29. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 25–May 20 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 28 | Apr 29–May 6 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Sage | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Jan 28 | Apr 22–May 6 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 161 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 29. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 6. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 22. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Charleston
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 28), Lavender (Jan 28), Onion (Jan 28), Rosemary (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 11), Collards (Feb 11), Kale (Feb 11), Oregano (Feb 11), Parsley (Feb 11), Scallions (Feb 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 25), Beets (Feb 25), Dill (Feb 25), Peas (Feb 25), Radish (Feb 25), Spinach (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 4), Calendula (Mar 11), Cauliflower (Mar 11), Marigolds (Mar 11), Pepper (Mar 11), Basil (Mar 18), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 11), Cilantro (Mar 25), Turnip (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 25), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 25), Cabbage (Mar 25), Collards (Mar 25), Kale (Mar 25), Lettuce (Mar 25), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 1), Butternut Squash (Apr 8), Cantaloupe (Apr 8), Melons (Apr 8), Pumpkin (Apr 8), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 1), Potatoes (Apr 8), Sunflowers (Apr 22), Beans (Apr 29), Pole Beans (Apr 29). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 8), Swiss Chard (Apr 8), Bok Choy (Apr 15), Cauliflower (Apr 15), Cosmos (Apr 22), Lavender (Apr 22), +15 more. Last frost around April 22. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 6), Cantaloupe (May 6), Cucumber (May 6), Eggplant (May 6), Melons (May 6), Pepper (May 6), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Charleston, WV (ZIP 25312)?
The median last spring frost date for Charleston, WV (ZIP code 25312) is around April 22. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 7; one in ten it runs past May 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Charleston, WV?
The median first fall frost date for Charleston, WV is around October 21. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Charleston, WV?
The frost-free growing season in Charleston is about 182 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Charleston (182 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Charleston, WV?
Charleston, WV is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Charleston, WV?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 18 and plant out May 6 in Charleston. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Charleston?
Two: plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Charleston?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Charleston?
Yes: plant out May 6 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 21 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Elkview, WV 25071 (10.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Charleston, WV 25314 (11.4 mi)
- Frost dates for South Charleston, WV 25309 (11.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Saint Albans, WV 25177 (12.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Scott Depot, WV 25560 (13.2 mi)
- When to plant in WV
- When to plant Peppers in WV
- When to plant Cucumbers in WV
- When to plant Zucchini in WV
- When to plant Butternut Squash in WV
- When to plant Basil in WV
- When to plant Sweet Corn in WV
- Look up another ZIP