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

Planting zone for 26865 — Yellow Spring, WV

ZIP code 26865 (Yellow Spring, Hampshire County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 26865 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 6
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 Yellow Spring, 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 Yellow Spring, WV

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Wardensville R M Farm, WV — 8 miles away, elevation 961 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 26865

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
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 6) 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 26865 came on Mar 12 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

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.

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 178

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 134

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 11

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 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fmuscadine30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °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 Yellow Spring, WV.

Soil in Yellow Spring, WV

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 26865 is Schaffenaker — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Schaffenaker very stony loamy sand, 3 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 26865; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Yellow Spring, WV

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,964base 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
Precipitation37.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 21 °F 45°21° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 27 °F 53°27° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 36 °F 65°36° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 46 °F 73°46° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 59 °F 86°59° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 58 °F 84°58° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 50 °F 78°50° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 39 °F 67°39° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 30 °F 56°30° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 JanFebruary: 2.04 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 MarApril: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 2.86 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wardensville R M Farm, WV (8 mi away); precipitation: Wardensville R M Farm, WV (8 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.

268086b
High View, WV · 4 mi
268236b
Capon Springs, WV · 5 mi
267046b
Augusta, WV · 7 mi
267146b
Delray, WV · 7 mi
267117a
Capon Bridge, WV · 9 mi
226377a
Gore, VA · 9 mi
226547a
Star Tannery, VA · 10 mi
226417a
Strasburg, VA · 10 mi

West Virginia planting zones →

Questions about 26865

What planting zone is ZIP code 26865?

ZIP code 26865 (Yellow Spring, 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 Yellow Spring, WV?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 26865 is May 6; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wardensville R M Farm station.

When is the first frost in Yellow Spring, WV?

The median first fall frost near 26865 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 159 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 26865?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 26865 get?

About 37.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wardensville R M Farm station).

How hot do summers get in Yellow Spring, WV?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 26865 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Schaffenaker at the center of ZIP 26865: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Yellow Spring, WV in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 26865 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Yellow Spring, WV?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 26865 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.