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

Planting zone for 26707 — Bayard, WV

ZIP code 26707 (Bayard, Grant County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 26707 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 13
First frostOct 3
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bayard, 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 Bayard, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season140 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Bayard, WV — 5 miles away, elevation 2,412 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 26707

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 26707 came on Mar 21 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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.

Trees 68

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 102

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 177

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican vetch1.3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 133

arctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbitter panicgrass5 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fmuscadine30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Bayard, WV.

Soil in Bayard, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26707 is Lehew — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables
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 and Dekalb channery loams, 3 to 8 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 26707; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bayard, WV

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,114base 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
Precipitation52.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall118 inper year; 77 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 35 °F, low 16 °F 35°16° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 18 °F 38°18° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 24 °F 47°24° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.27 in precipitation, 31.9 in snowfall 4.3❄32 JanFebruary: 4.11 in precipitation, 30.1 in snowfall 4.1❄30 FebMarch: 4.53 in precipitation, 19.6 in snowfall 4.5❄20 MarApril: 4.50 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 4.5❄4 AprMay: 5.39 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 5.55 in precipitation 5.5 JulAugust: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.38 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 3.4❄2 OctNovember: 3.33 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 3.3❄8 NovDecember: 4.25 in precipitation, 22.3 in snowfall 4.3❄22 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bayard, WV (5 mi away); precipitation: Bayard, WV (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

267206a
Gormania, WV · 6 mi
267166a
Eglon, WV · 7 mi
267396a
Mount Storm, WV · 8 mi
262926a
Thomas, WV · 8 mi
262606a
Davis, WV · 9 mi
267056a
Aurora, WV · 12 mi
215506a
Oakland, MD · 13 mi
268336b
Maysville, WV · 13 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26707

What planting zone is ZIP code 26707?

ZIP code 26707 (Bayard, 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 Bayard, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26707 is May 13; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bayard station.

When is the first frost in Bayard, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26707 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 140 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26707?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26707 get?

About 52.7 inches of precipitation a year and 118 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bayard station).

How hot do summers get in Bayard, WV?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26707 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lehew at the center of ZIP 26707: channery loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bayard, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26707 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bayard, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26707 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 26707 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 26707 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.