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

Planting zone for 26169 — Rockport, WV

ZIP code 26169 (Rockport, Wood County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 26169 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 1

First frostOct 14

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 Rockport, 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 Rockport, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season165 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Sandyville 9 Ne, WV — 6 miles away, elevation 669 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 26169

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 26169 came on Mar 9 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19).

average
Mar 192026
Mar 9

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 Rockport, WV.

Soil in Rockport, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26169 is Vandalia — silty clay, well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Vandalia silty clay loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, very 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 26169; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rockport, WV

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,187base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall24 inper year; 23 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: Sandyville 9 Ne, WV (6 mi away); precipitation: Sandyville 9 Ne, WV (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

261506b

Mineral Wells, WV · 5 mi

261336b

Belleville, WV · 6 mi

261646b

Ravenswood, WV · 8 mi

252756b

Sandyville, WV · 10 mi

261606b

Palestine, WV · 11 mi

261016b

Parkersburg, WV · 11 mi

261816b

Washington, WV · 11 mi

261436b

Elizabeth, WV · 11 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26169

What planting zone is ZIP code 26169?

ZIP code 26169 (Rockport, 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 Rockport, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26169 is May 1; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sandyville 9 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Rockport, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26169 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 165 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26169?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26169 get?

About 47.9 inches of precipitation a year and 24 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sandyville 9 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Rockport, WV?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26169 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vandalia at the center of ZIP 26169: silty clay, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Rockport, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26169 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rockport, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26169 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 26169 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 26169 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.