Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 26271 — Hendricks, WV

ZIP code 26271 (Hendricks, Tucker County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 26271 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostMay 7

First frostOct 7

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hendricks, 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 Hendricks, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Elkins 21 Ene, WV — 2 miles away, elevation 3,389 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 26271

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 26271 came on Mar 21 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Mar 21

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 6a in West Virginia

502 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in West Virginia, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Hendricks, WV.

Soil in Hendricks, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26271 is Cateache — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter32%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cateache channery silt loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes, rubbly.

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 26271; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hendricks, WV

Summer high74 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,946base 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

Precipitation56.7 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: Elkins 21 Ene, WV (2 mi away); precipitation: Elkins 21 Ene, WV (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Hambleton, WV · 10 mi

262766a

Kerens, WV · 12 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26271

What planting zone is ZIP code 26271?

ZIP code 26271 (Hendricks, WV) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Hendricks, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26271 is May 7; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elkins 21 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Hendricks, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26271 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26271?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26271 get?

About 56.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elkins 21 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Hendricks, WV?

The average high peaks at 74 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26271 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cateache at the center of ZIP 26271: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hendricks, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26271 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hendricks, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26271 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.