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West Virginia Garden Guide

close up of basil leaves

Growing Basil

Basil is seeded or transplanted outside after the last frost in spring in West Virginia (late May) or earlier if started in a high or low tunnel.

Planting Basil
Basil Care & Maintenance
Harvesting Basil
a clump of beets

Growing Beets

Beets should be seeded early or late enough in the year to grow under cool weather conditions in West Virginia which favors both yield and quality.

Choosing a Beet
Planting Beets
Growing Beets in High or Low Tunnels
Beet Variety Selection
Harvesting Your Beets
brussels sprouts

Growing Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a cool weather crop from the Brassicaceae family of vegetables, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, collards, radishes, turnips, kohlrabi and kale. While they can be cultivated in some areas in the spring, production in West Virginia is typically in the fall.

Garden Guide Colorful Carrots

Growing Carrots

Carrots are nutritious and their sweet flavor makes them a favorite among those that claim not to like vegetables. Carrots come in an assortment of shapes and colors and store well for several months. 

various heads of cauliflower in white, yellow and purple in a green bin

Growing Cauliflower

Cauliflower can be grown as a spring or fall crop and it grows best in cool growing environments. Learn suggested varieties for West Virginia.

Garlic bunches at a farmers market.

Growing Garlic

Garlic is good for more than just keeping the vampires away. This cholesterol-fighting super herb can be easily grown to meet the needs of the busy gardener. 

A row of plants with a stake reading, "2/1 Provider Snap Beans".

Growing Green Beans

Green beans are one of the most popular vegetables grown by home gardeners. They are one of the oldest cultivated plants and are classified as a legume.

 
Swiss chard greens with red and white stems sit in a jar.

Growing Greens

No other vegetable packs a nutritive punch quite like leafy greens. These vitamin and mineral-packed vegetables are easy to grow in West Virginia.

Kale

Growing Kale

Kale is a cool season plant from the Brassica oleracea family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Kale can be grown in West Virginia in the spring or fall.

Watermelons up close.

Growing Melons

Many melon varieties are well-suited to West Virginia’s climate and growing season. When choosing a variety to grow, consider the length of your growing season as well as your flavor preference.

Melon Production
Nutrition of Melons
Choosing Melons
Melon Varieties
Other Considerations for Melons
Pea pod on vine in garden.

Growing Peas

Peas are typically classified as one of three types depending upon their characteristics and desired usage: sugar snap peas, snow peas and dry peas.

Large yellow-green peppers on vine.

Growing Peppers

Peppers can be sweet or hot, tiny or a foot long, and range in color from green, yellow and orange to red, purple and brown.

 
Popcorn growing on the stalk.

Growing Popcorn

Two types of popcorn are grown: pearl and rice. Pearl popcorn has round smooth kernels, while rice popcorn kernels are elongated.

Growing Popcorn
Pollination Considerations for Popcorn
Popcorn Cultivars
Disease Concern for Popcorn
Harvest of Popcorn
Popcorn Storage
Popcorn Nutrition & Cooking Considerations
pumpkin sitting in a pumpkin patch

Growing Pumpkins

Pumpkins are members of the cucurbit family, which also includes cucumbers, squash, gourds and melons. More than a billion pounds of pumpkins are produced annually in the United States, primarily for the fall season.

squash growing in garden.

Growing Summer Squash

Summer squash are one of the most productive plants in the garden. They are a great choice for West Virginia gardeners as they are easy to grow and quickly produce many fruits that are dense in nutrients.

A closeup view of sweet corn kernels.

Growing Sweet Corn

Sweet corn is distin­guished from other corns by its high sugar content when in the milk, by its early dough stages and by its wrin­kled, translucent kernels when dry.

Sweet Corn Planting Time 
Small green to red peppers growing on a pepper plant in a garden.

Growing Sweet Lunchbox Peppers

Lunchbox peppers are miniature hybrid sweet peppers known for their fruit-like, sweet flavor, crisp texture and colorful appearance.

Red tomatoes ripening in greenhouse

Growing Tomatoes

Many home gardeners choose to grow tomatoes because they are relatively easy to grow, only require a small space and bear a lot of fruit on each plant.