Frost Dates for Charleston, WV 25313
Charleston has 12 ZIP codes. The Charleston, WV frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 28 · First fall frost October 18 · 173 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 25313 has about 11,800 people, one of 12 ZIP codes in Charleston.
Moderate season: 173 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 11 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–November 2 (30 days).
Frost probability for 25313
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 11 | April 28 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 3 | October 18 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MADISON 3NNW (35.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 173-day season in Charleston
In Charleston (173 frost-free days, a moderate 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 24 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | Jun 18 |
| Pepper | Mar 17 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | Jun 23 |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 7. | Aug 16 |
| Cucumber | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Peas | — | Mar 3–May 12 | 236 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 3. | Aug 7 |
| Zucchini | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Onion | Feb 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 3–Apr 21 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 31. | Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 31. | Aug 16 |
| Radish | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 18 | 278 | overwinter: Plant Oct 18 to Nov 8; harvest the following summer. | Nov 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 24–May 19 | 229 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after May 5. | Jun 30 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 14 | May 12–May 12 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 12. | Jun 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 | Apr 21–May 5 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 21. | Jul 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 31. | Jul 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 138 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 138 available after May 12. | Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | Jun 28 |
| Okra | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Basil | Mar 24 | May 19–May 19 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 31–Apr 21 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Parsley | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 173 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 173 available after May 5. | Aug 2 |
| Celery | Feb 17 | May 5–May 19 | 173 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 173 available after May 5. | Jun 13 |
| Scallions | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Collards | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | Jun 13 |
| Chives | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Oregano | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after May 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 5. | — |
| Sage | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after May 5. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after May 5. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Cosmos | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Lavender | Feb 3 | Apr 28–May 12 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 5 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Melons | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 131 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 131 available after May 12. | Jun 13 |
| Mint | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 152 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 152 available after May 5. | Jul 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 138 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 138 available after May 12. | Jun 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 28. | Jul 12 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 5. | Jun 23 |
| Watermelon | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 5. | Jun 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Zinnias | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
Month by month in Charleston
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Onion (Feb 3), Rosemary (Feb 3), Celery (Feb 17), Collards (Feb 17), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), Sage (Mar 3), Swiss Chard (Mar 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 3), Beets (Mar 3), Dill (Mar 3), Peas (Mar 3), Radish (Mar 3), Spinach (Mar 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 31), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 31), Cabbage (Mar 31), Collards (Mar 31), Kale (Mar 31), Lettuce (Mar 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 7), Butternut Squash (Apr 14), Cantaloupe (Apr 14), Melons (Apr 14), Pumpkin (Apr 14), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 7), Potatoes (Apr 14), Sunflowers (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Apr 14), Bok Choy (Apr 21), Cauliflower (Apr 21), Cosmos (Apr 28), Lavender (Apr 28), +4 more. Last frost around April 28. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 5), Pole Beans (May 5). Transplant from: Celery (May 5), Chives (May 5), Corn (May 5), Okra (May 5), Oregano (May 5), Parsley (May 5), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Pumpkin (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 13), Celery (Jun 13), Melons (Jun 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 15), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 17), Pole Beans (Jul 17), Basil (Jul 22), Cosmos (Jul 22), Cucumber (Jul 22), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 1), Parsley (Aug 2), Peas (Aug 7), Cabbage (Aug 16), Carrots (Aug 16), Beets (Aug 17), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 5), Arugula (Sep 15), Spinach (Sep 15), Radish (Sep 16). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 18). First frost around October 18. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 8). |
| 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 25313)?
The median last spring frost date for Charleston, WV (ZIP code 25313) is around April 28. 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 15; one in ten it runs past May 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Charleston, WV?
The median first fall frost date for Charleston, WV is around October 18. 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 3 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 173 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 (173 frost-free days, a moderate 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 24 and plant out May 12 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 31 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.
When do I plant garlic in Charleston?
Oct 18 to Nov 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Charleston (ZIP 25314) has 182 frost-free days, 9 more than Charleston (ZIP 25313). See Charleston ZIP 25314 frost dates
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