Charleston, WV planting zone & frost dates
Charleston is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 16 and the first fall frost around October 26, for a growing season of about 192 days.
Planting calendar for Charleston
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 16) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 19 – Mar 5 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 31 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 26).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 1 | Apr 16 | May 5 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 6 | Oct 26 | Oct 13 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 5, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 13. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Charleston
- 25301 zone 7a
- 25302 zone 7a
- 25304 zone 7a
- 25306 zone 7a
- 25311 zone 7a
- 25312 zone 7a
- 25313 zone 7a
- 25314 zone 7a
- 25315 zone 7a
- 25317 zone 7a
- 25320 zone 7a
- 25321 zone 7a
- 25322 zone 7a
- 25323 zone 7a
- 25324 zone 7a
- 25325 zone 7a
- 25326 zone 7a
- 25327 zone 7a
- 25328 zone 7a
- 25329 zone 7a
- 25330 zone 7a
- 25331 zone 7a
- 25332 zone 7a
- 25333 zone 7a
- 25334 zone 7a
- 25335 zone 7a
- 25336 zone 7a
- 25337 zone 7a
- 25338 zone 7a
- 25339 zone 7a
- 25350 zone 7a
- 25356 zone 7a
- 25357 zone 7a
- 25358 zone 7a
- 25360 zone 7a
- 25361 zone 7a
- 25362 zone 7a
- 25364 zone 7a
- 25365 zone 7a
- 25375 zone 7a
- 25387 zone 7a
- 25389 zone 7a
- 25392 zone 7a
- 25396 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- South Charleston zone 7a, last frost Apr 23
- Saint Albans zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
- Teays Valley zone 7a, last frost Apr 18
- Beckley zone 6b, last frost May 6
- Huntington zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Parkersburg zone 6b, last frost Apr 14
- Vienna zone 6b, last frost Apr 14
- Bluefield zone 7a, last frost Apr 30
Questions
What growing zone is Charleston, WV?
Charleston is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Charleston?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Charleston is April 16. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 5.
When can I plant tomatoes in Charleston?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 23 – Apr 30. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Charleston Yeager Ap, WV (USW00013866), 5.0 km (3.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 277 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.