Morgantown, WV planting zone & frost dates
Morgantown is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 26 and the first fall frost around October 23, for a growing season of about 180 days.
Planting calendar for Morgantown
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 26) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 Transplant outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 Transplant outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 28 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 23).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 10 | Apr 26 | May 12 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 3 | Oct 23 | Oct 9 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 12, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 9. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 14.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Morgantown
- 26501 zone 6b
- 26502 zone 7a
- 26504 zone 6b
- 26505 zone 7a
- 26506 zone 6b
- 26507 zone 7a
- 26508 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Fairmont zone 6b, last frost Apr 18
- Clarksburg zone 6b, last frost Apr 22
- Wheeling zone 6b, last frost Apr 20
- Weirton Heights zone 6b, last frost Apr 29
- Weirton zone 6b, last frost Apr 29
- Vienna zone 6b, last frost Apr 14
- Parkersburg zone 6b, last frost Apr 14
- Martinsburg zone 7a, last frost Apr 17
Questions
What growing zone is Morgantown, WV?
Morgantown is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 6b.
When is the last frost in Morgantown?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Morgantown is April 26. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 12.
When can I plant tomatoes in Morgantown?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 3 – May 10. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Morgantown L&D, WV (USC00466212), 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 252 m, based on 25 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.