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

Planting zone for 26521 — Blacksville, WV

ZIP code 26521 (Blacksville, Monongalia County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 26521 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 4

First frostOct 12

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 Blacksville, 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 Blacksville, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Burton, WV — 11 miles away, elevation 1,240 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 26521

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 26521 came on Mar 10 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
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 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 Blacksville, WV.

Soil in Blacksville, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26521 is Gilpin — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.9%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gilpin-Culleoka-Upshur silt loams, 25 to 35 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 26521; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Blacksville, WV

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,000base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50.6 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: Burton, WV (11 mi away); precipitation: Burton, WV (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Maidsville, WV · 6 mi

153496b

Mount Morris, PA · 9 mi

265276b

Cassville, WV · 9 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26521

What planting zone is ZIP code 26521?

ZIP code 26521 (Blacksville, 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 Blacksville, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26521 is May 4; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burton station.

When is the first frost in Blacksville, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26521 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26521?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26521 get?

About 50.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burton station).

How hot do summers get in Blacksville, WV?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26521 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilpin at the center of ZIP 26521: silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Blacksville, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26521 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Blacksville, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26521 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 26521 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 26521 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.