Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 25244 — Gay, WV

ZIP code 25244 (Gay, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 25244 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 23

First frostOct 21

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gay, WV…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Gay, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Ripley, WV — 10 miles away, elevation 607 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 25244

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 21) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 25244 came on Mar 8 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
Mar 8

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in West Virginia

506 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in West Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Gay, WV.

Soil in Gay, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 25244 is Upshur — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Upshur-Gilpin silt loams, 25 to 35 percent slopes, severely eroded.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 25244; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gay, WV

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights113nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,759base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation47.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ripley, WV (10 mi away); precipitation: Ripley 5.8 S, WV (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

252436b

Gandeeville, WV · 6 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 25244

What planting zone is ZIP code 25244?

ZIP code 25244 (Gay, WV) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Gay, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 25244 is April 23; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ripley station.

When is the first frost in Gay, WV?

The median first fall frost near 25244 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 25244?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 25244 get?

About 47.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ripley 5.8 S station).

How hot do summers get in Gay, WV?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 25244 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Upshur at the center of ZIP 25244: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gay, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 25244 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gay, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 25244 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.