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

Planting zone for 26812 — Mathias, WV

ZIP code 26812 (Mathias, Hardy 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 12.

Where ZIP 26812 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 12

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 Mathias, 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 Mathias, 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 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Lost Rvr, WV — 6 miles away, elevation 1,690 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 26812

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 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 3) 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 26812 came on Mar 10 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
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 Mathias, WV.

Soil in Mathias, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26812 is Berks — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Berks-Weikert channery silt loams, 25 to 70 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 26812; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mathias, WV

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,762base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall21 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lost Rvr, WV (6 mi away); precipitation: Moorefield 1 Sse, WV (12 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.

228106b

Basye, VA · 5 mi

228456b

Orkney Springs, VA · 8 mi

228116b

Bergton, VA · 8 mi

268366b

Moorefield, WV · 9 mi

268106a

Lost City, WV · 10 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26812

What planting zone is ZIP code 26812?

ZIP code 26812 (Mathias, 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 Mathias, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26812 is May 3; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lost Rvr station.

When is the first frost in Mathias, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26812 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26812?

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 26812 get?

About 35.2 inches of precipitation a year and 21 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moorefield 1 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Mathias, WV?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26812 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 26812: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mathias, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26812 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mathias, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26812 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.