Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Charleston, West Virginia

Typical last spring frost April 16 (1 spring in 10 later than May 5). Typical first fall frost October 26 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 13). Growing season about 192 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 1 and fades out by May 5. It is unlikely from then until October 13, and likely again after November 6. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 16 and October 26.

January

  • January 29 to February 26: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)

February

  • February 12 to March 12: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)
  • February 26 to March 19: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 5 to 19: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 12 to 26: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 19 to April 2: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 19 to April 2: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 2 to 16: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 2 to 16: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 16: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)
  • April 30: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • April 30: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 31 to June 14: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 20 to July 4: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 30: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 3: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 4: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 8: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 9: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 13: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 23: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 2: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 12: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 13: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 12 to 19: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Charleston Yeager Airport (station USW00013866), 3 miles from the center of Charleston. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/west-virginia/charleston/

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