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When to Plant Rue in Berkeley County, WV

Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

Berkeley County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,749 feet, Berkeley County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rue root diseases.

Berkeley County, WV (Zone 7a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Berkeley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Rue Planting Timeline — Berkeley County, WV

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 – Sep 11

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

179 days in Berkeley County

Growing Tips for Berkeley County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Berkeley County, WV?

Berkeley County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Berkeley County, WV?

Berkeley County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 20.

🌱

Your Berkeley County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Berkeley County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Berkeley County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.