Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 26705 (Aurora, 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, Rowlesburg 1, WV (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)179 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°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 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Elkins 21 ENE (22 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Elkins 21 ENE (22 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 26705 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 13 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.
Your average first frost is Oct 23: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 28 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 15 |
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) | Oct 10 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 23 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 4 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 7 | Oct 13 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 28 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 14 | Nov 1 |
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 26705
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 23). 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 3–17 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 17–Mar 3 | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 17–Mar 3 | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 3–17 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 3–17 | Apr 7–28 (transplant) Mar 31–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 28 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 3–24 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 17–31 | Apr 14–May 5 (transplant) Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 24–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 3–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 3–17 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 19–Jun 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 19–Jun 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 31–Apr 7 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 17–31 | May 12–26 (transplant) May 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 3–17 | May 5–12 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 17–31 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 14–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 14–28 (transplant) Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (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: Rowlesburg 1, WV (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00467785), elevation 1,423 ft, 5.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Alta #1, WV | 9 mi | May 7 | Oct 11 |
| Oakland 1 SE, MD | 11 mi | May 6 | Oct 9 |
| Bayard, WV | 11 mi | May 13 | Oct 3 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 16 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 26705
When is the last frost in 26705?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 26705 is April 28. For a more cautious planting date, use May 15, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 26705?
The average first fall freeze is October 23. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 10.
What hardiness zone is 26705?
ZIP 26705 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 26705 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
26716 26425 Rowlesburg 26764 Terra Alta 21550 Oakland 26444 Tunnelton 26707 Bayard 26287 Parsons 26292 Thomas
Other ZIP codes in Preston County
26374 26410 26425 26444 26519 26520 26524 26525 26537 26542 26547 26716 26764 All Preston County frost dates · West Virginia frost dates
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