When to plant in Charleston, WV
USDA Zone 7aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Charleston, West Virginia — all computed from Charleston's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 7a, Charleston supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
CHARLESTON YEAGER AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Charleston’s own odds, recorded at CHARLESTON YEAGER AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 16 | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Oct 5 | Oct 17 | Oct 28 |
| 32°F | May 5 | Apr 16 | Apr 1 | Oct 13 | Oct 26 | Nov 6 |
| 28°F | Apr 17 | Apr 1 | Mar 16 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 | Nov 19 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Charleston, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Charleston planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Charleston, WV?
Plan for the last spring frost in Charleston around April 16 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Charleston, WV?
Expect Charleston's first fall frost near October 26 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Charleston in?
Charleston is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Charleston?
Charleston has about 193 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 16) and first fall frost (October 26).
When should I plant tomatoes in Charleston?
For Charleston, sow tomatoes indoors about February 19–March 5 and move the seedlings out around April 23, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Charleston
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Charleston’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- South Charleston · 7 km
- St. Albans · 17 km
- Teays Valley · 28 km
- Huntington · 70 km
- Beckley · 76 km
- Ashland · 89 km
- Ironton · 93 km
- Parkersburg · 102 km
Frost dates recorded at CHARLESTON YEAGER AP, 5 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Charleston, WV — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013866. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/west-virginia/charleston.