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

Planting zone for 26704 — Augusta, WV

ZIP code 26704 (Augusta, Hampshire County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 26704 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 frostApr 26

First frostOct 18

2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Augusta, 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 Augusta, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Romney 1 Sw, WV — 10 miles away, elevation 722 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 26704

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 26704 came on Mar 11 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 11

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 Augusta, WV.

Soil in Augusta, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26704 is Lehew — channery fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureChannery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Lehew-Berks complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, 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 26704; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Augusta, WV

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,258base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall29 inper year; 31 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: Romney 1 Sw, WV (10 mi away); precipitation: Romney 1 Sw, WV (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

267616b

Shanks, WV · 5 mi

268656b

Yellow Spring, WV · 7 mi

267146b

Delray, WV · 8 mi

267117a

Capon Bridge, WV · 8 mi

Slanesville, WV · 11 mi

267556b

Rio, WV · 11 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26704

What planting zone is ZIP code 26704?

ZIP code 26704 (Augusta, 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 Augusta, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26704 is April 26; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Romney 1 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Augusta, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26704 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26704?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26704 get?

About 38.2 inches of precipitation a year and 29 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Romney 1 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Augusta, WV?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26704 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lehew at the center of ZIP 26704: channery fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Augusta, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26704 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Augusta, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26704 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.