Frost dates for 28139Rutherfordton, NC
The average last spring frost in Rutherfordton is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 198 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 198 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 159 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 8 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 28 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 198 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 28 · Apr 12 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 222 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rutherfordton
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28139 is matched to the NOAA station Forest City 8 W, NC, 6.5 km away, at 849 ft elevation (119 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City 8 W, NC (used) | 849 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
| Lake Lure 2, NC | 1,040 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 30 |
| Chesnee 7 Wsw, SC | 748 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
| Tryon, NC | 1,320 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Rutherfordton
- Spindale, NC 28160 · last Apr 11, first Oct 27
- Union Mills, NC 28167 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Forest City, NC 28043 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Mill Spring, NC 28756 · last Apr 11, first Oct 27
- Bostic, NC 28018 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Harris, NC 28074 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Ellenboro, NC 28040 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Caroleen, NC 28019 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rutherfordton, NC?
- For ZIP code 28139, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Forest City 8 W, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Rutherfordton, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28139?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 198 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.