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

Planting zone for 26287 — Parsons, WV

ZIP code 26287 (Parsons, Tucker County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 26287 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 frostApr 24

First frostOct 24

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 Parsons, 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 Parsons, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season182 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Parsons 3 Se, WV — 7 miles away, elevation 1,775 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 26287

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 26287 came on Mar 10 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

average
Mar 262026
Mar 10

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 Parsons, WV.

Soil in Parsons, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26287 is Berks — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berks-Brownsville complex, moist, 15 to 25 percent slopes, 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 26287; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Parsons, WV

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,223base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 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

Precipitation55 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall55 inper year; 47 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: Parsons 3 Se, WV (7 mi away); precipitation: Parsons 3 Se, WV (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Rowlesburg, WV · 9 mi

Moatsville, WV · 12 mi

267056a

Aurora, WV · 13 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26287

What planting zone is ZIP code 26287?

ZIP code 26287 (Parsons, 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 Parsons, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26287 is April 24; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Parsons 3 Se station.

When is the first frost in Parsons, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26287 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26287?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26287 get?

About 55 inches of precipitation a year and 55 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Parsons 3 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Parsons, WV?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26287 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 26287: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Parsons, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26287 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Parsons, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26287 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.