Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 26296 (Whitmer, WV)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Glady 1 N, WV (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)139 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
55°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Elkins 21 ENE (18 mi), Shenandoah (60 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Elkins 21 ENE (18 mi), Shenandoah (60 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 26296 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about Jun 30 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 28 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 15 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 31 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 20 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 3 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 15 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 28 | Sep 22 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 15 | Oct 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 3 | Oct 12 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 26296
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Oct 3). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 6–20 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 6–20 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 15 (transplant) Apr 17–May 29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–29 (transplant) Jul 25–Aug 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–Aug 8 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 25 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 17–May 15 (transplant) Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–Aug 8 (transplant) Jun 27–Jul 25 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 6–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 6–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 27–Jul 25 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jun 13–Jul 4 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 17–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 3–17 | May 1–22 (transplant) May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 24–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 10–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 17–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 11–25 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jun 13–27 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 17–24 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 17–24 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 17–24 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 17–24 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 17–24 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 3–17 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 20–Mar 6 | May 22–29 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 3–17 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Glady 1 N, WV (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00463464), elevation 2,840 ft, 9.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin 2 NE, WV | 15 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
| Elkins 21 ENE, WV | 18 mi | May 7 | Oct 7 |
| Elkins Randolph Co AP, WV | 18 mi | May 5 | Oct 12 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 16 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 26296
When is the last frost in 26296?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 26296 is May 15. For a more cautious planting date, use May 31, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 26296?
The average first fall freeze is October 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 20.
What hardiness zone is 26296?
ZIP 26296 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 26296 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
26270 Harman 26814 26804 26884 24920 Bartow 26886 26807 Franklin 26254
Other ZIP codes in Randolph County
26224 26230 26236 26241 26253 26254 26257 26259 26263 26267 26268 26270 26273 26276 26278 26280 26282 26283 26285 26293 26294 All Randolph County frost dates · West Virginia frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.