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

Planting zone for 26587 — Rachel, WV

ZIP code 26587 (Rachel, Marion County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 26587 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 3

First frostOct 10

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 Rachel, 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 Rachel, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Mannington 8 Wnw, WV — 9 miles away, elevation 1,099 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 26587

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 26587 came on Mar 10 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

average
Mar 222026
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 Rachel, WV.

Soil in Rachel, WV

The center of ZIP 26587 is mapped as Udorthents, cut and fill: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 26587; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rachel, WV

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights144nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,960base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.4 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: Mannington 8 Wnw, WV (9 mi away); precipitation: Mannington 8 Wnw, WV (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

265716b

Farmington, WV · 2 mi

265726b

Four States, WV · 2 mi

Mannington, WV · 4 mi

265916b

Worthington, WV · 5 mi

264636b

Wyatt, WV · 6 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26587

What planting zone is ZIP code 26587?

ZIP code 26587 (Rachel, 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 Rachel, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26587 is May 3; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mannington 8 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in Rachel, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26587 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 159 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26587?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26587 get?

About 51.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mannington 8 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Rachel, WV?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Rachel, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26587 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rachel, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26587 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 26587 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 26587 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.