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

Planting zone for 25986 — Spring Dale, WV

ZIP code 25986 (Spring Dale, Fayette County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 25986 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 frostMay 2
First frostOct 11
2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Spring Dale, 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 Spring Dale, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Rupert 4 N, WV — 11 miles away, elevation 3,320 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 25986

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 25986 came on Mar 10 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27).

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.

Trees 68

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 102

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 178

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican vetch1.3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 134

arctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbitter panicgrass5 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Vines 11

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fmuscadine30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °F

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 Spring Dale, WV.

Soil in Spring Dale, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 25986 is Kaymine — extremely channery loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely channery loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kaymine-Rock outcrop complex, very steep, very stony.

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 25986; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Spring Dale, WV

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,335base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation53.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 19 °F 34°19° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 21 °F 38°21° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 47 °F 67°47° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 55 °F 73°55° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 58 °F 77°58° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 57 °F 76°57° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 51 °F 71°51° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 40 °F 60°40° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 JanFebruary: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 FebMarch: 5.09 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 5.58 in precipitation 5.6 MayJune: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 JulAugust: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rupert 4 N, WV (11 mi away); precipitation: Rupert 4 N, WV (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

259766b
Meadow Bridge, WV · 5 mi
259626b
Rainelle, WV · 6 mi
249436b
Grassy Meadows, WV · 6 mi
258316b
Danese, WV · 7 mi
259666b
Green Sulphur Springs, WV · 7 mi
249776b
Smoot, WV · 8 mi
259586a
Charmco, WV · 8 mi
259776b
Meadow Creek, WV · 8 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 25986

What planting zone is ZIP code 25986?

ZIP code 25986 (Spring Dale, 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 Spring Dale, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 25986 is May 2; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rupert 4 N station.

When is the first frost in Spring Dale, WV?

The median first fall frost near 25986 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 25986?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 25986 get?

About 53.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rupert 4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Spring Dale, WV?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 25986 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kaymine at the center of ZIP 25986: extremely channery loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Spring Dale, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 25986 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Spring Dale, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 25986 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 25986 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 25986 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.