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

Planting zone for 26845 — Old Fields, WV

ZIP code 26845 (Old Fields, Hardy County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 26845 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 29

First frostOct 15

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 Old Fields, 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 Old Fields, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Moorefield 1 Sse, WV — 8 miles away, elevation 889 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 26845

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 26845 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 Old Fields, WV.

Soil in Old Fields, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26845 is Berks — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Berks-Weikert channery silt loams, 8 to 15 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 26845; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Old Fields, WV

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,353base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 25 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: Moorefield 1 Sse, WV (8 mi away); precipitation: Moorefield 1 Sse, WV (8 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.

267316b

Lahmansville, WV · 5 mi

268187a

Fisher, WV · 6 mi

268526b

Purgitsville, WV · 6 mi

267107a

Burlington, WV · 9 mi

267436b

New Creek, WV · 11 mi

268366b

Moorefield, WV · 12 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26845

What planting zone is ZIP code 26845?

ZIP code 26845 (Old Fields, 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 Old Fields, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26845 is April 29; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moorefield 1 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Old Fields, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26845 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26845?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26845 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 Old Fields, WV?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26845 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Berks at the center of ZIP 26845: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Old Fields, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26845 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 Old Fields, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26845 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.