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

Planting zone for 25989 — White Oak, WV

ZIP code 25989 (White Oak, Raleigh County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 25989 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 22

First frostOct 21

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 White Oak, 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 White Oak, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Beckley Raleigh Co. Airport, WV — 9 miles away, elevation 2,513 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 25989

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

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 22) 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 25989 came on Mar 8 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
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 White Oak, WV.

Soil in White Oak, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 25989 is Clifftop — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Clifftop-Nallen complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes.

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 25989; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in White Oak, WV

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights107nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,173base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall56 inper year; 34 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Beckley Raleigh Co. Airport, WV (9 mi away); precipitation: Beckley Raleigh Co. Airport, WV (9 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.

258256b

Cool Ridge, WV · 3 mi

259186b

Shady Spring, WV · 4 mi

259696b

Jumping Branch, WV · 5 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 25989

What planting zone is ZIP code 25989?

ZIP code 25989 (White Oak, 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 White Oak, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 25989 is April 22; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beckley Raleigh Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in White Oak, WV?

The median first fall frost near 25989 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 25989?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 25989 get?

About 43.5 inches of precipitation a year and 56 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beckley Raleigh Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in White Oak, WV?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 25989 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clifftop at the center of ZIP 25989: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in White Oak, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 25989 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in White Oak, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 25989 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 25989 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 25989 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.