Frost Dates for Parkersburg, WV 26101
Last spring frost April 24 · First fall frost October 20 · 179 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 26101 has about 28,000 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Parkersburg.
Moderate season: 179 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 10–May 7 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 5 (31 days).
Frost probability for 26101
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 24 | April 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 20 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PARKERSBURG AP (16.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Parkersburg, WV
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26101 | April 24 | October 20 | 6b |
| 26104 | April 24 | October 20 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 179-day season in Parkersburg
In Parkersburg (179 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 20 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 20 |
| Pepper | Mar 13 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 25 |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 3. | Aug 18 |
| Cucumber | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Beans | — | May 1–May 15 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Peas | — | Feb 27–May 8 | 242 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 242 available after Feb 27. | Aug 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Onion | Jan 30 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 27–Apr 17 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 27. | Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 27. | Aug 18 |
| Radish | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | 284 | overwinter: Plant Oct 20 to Nov 10; harvest the following summer. | Nov 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 20–May 15 | 235 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 1. | Jul 2 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 10 | May 8–May 8 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 8. | Jun 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 | Apr 17–May 1 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 17. | Jul 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 27. | Jul 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 8. | Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 30 |
| Okra | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Basil | Mar 20 | May 15–May 15 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 27–Apr 17 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after May 1. | Aug 4 |
| Celery | Feb 13 | May 1–May 15 | 179 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 179 available after May 1. | Jun 15 |
| Scallions | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Collards | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 15 |
| Chives | Jan 30 | May 1–May 8 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after May 1. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Oregano | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after May 1. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 30 | May 1–May 8 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after May 1. | — |
| Sage | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after May 1. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after May 1. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Cosmos | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Lavender | Jan 30 | Apr 24–May 8 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 1 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Melons | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 15 |
| Mint | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 1–May 15 | 158 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 158 available after May 1. | Jul 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after May 8. | Jun 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 24. | Jul 14 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 25 |
| Watermelon | Apr 10 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zinnias | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
Month by month in Parkersburg
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 30), Lavender (Jan 30), Onion (Jan 30), Rosemary (Jan 30). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 13), Collards (Feb 13), Kale (Feb 13), Oregano (Feb 13), Parsley (Feb 13), Scallions (Feb 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 27), Beets (Feb 27), Dill (Feb 27), Peas (Feb 27), Radish (Feb 27), Spinach (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 6), Calendula (Mar 13), Cauliflower (Mar 13), Marigolds (Mar 13), Pepper (Mar 13), Basil (Mar 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 13), Cilantro (Mar 27), Turnip (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 27), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 27), Cabbage (Mar 27), Collards (Mar 27), Kale (Mar 27), Lettuce (Mar 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 20). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 3), Butternut Squash (Apr 10), Cantaloupe (Apr 10), Melons (Apr 10), Pumpkin (Apr 10), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 3), Potatoes (Apr 10), Sunflowers (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 10), Swiss Chard (Apr 10), Bok Choy (Apr 17), Cauliflower (Apr 17), Cosmos (Apr 24), Lavender (Apr 24), +4 more. Last frost around April 24. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 1), Pole Beans (May 1). Transplant from: Celery (May 1), Chives (May 1), Corn (May 1), Okra (May 1), Oregano (May 1), Parsley (May 1), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Pumpkin (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 15), Celery (Jun 15), Melons (Jun 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 17), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 2), Sunflowers (Jul 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 19), Pole Beans (Jul 19), Basil (Jul 24), Cosmos (Jul 24), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 3), Parsley (Aug 4), Peas (Aug 9), Cabbage (Aug 18), Carrots (Aug 18), Beets (Aug 19), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 2), Kohlrabi (Sep 2), Turnip (Sep 7), Arugula (Sep 17), Spinach (Sep 17), Radish (Sep 18). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 20). First frost around October 20. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 10). |
| 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 Parkersburg, WV (ZIP 26101)?
The median last spring frost date for Parkersburg, WV (ZIP code 26101) is around April 24. 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 10; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Parkersburg, WV?
The median first fall frost date for Parkersburg, WV is around October 20. 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 Parkersburg, WV?
The frost-free growing season in Parkersburg is about 179 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 Parkersburg (179 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 Parkersburg, WV?
Parkersburg, WV is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Parkersburg, WV?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 20 and plant out May 8 in Parkersburg. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Parkersburg?
Two: plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27.
When do I plant garlic in Parkersburg?
Oct 20 to Nov 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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