Frost dates for 28643Lansing, NC
The average last spring frost in Lansing is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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) | May 3 · May 19 · Jun 3 | Sep 14 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 25 · May 13 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lansing
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 | Apr 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28643 is matched to the NOAA station Jefferson 2 E, NC, 14.1 km away, at 2,759 ft elevation (168 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson 2 E, NC (used) | 2,759 ft | May 7 | Oct 8 |
| Transou, NC | 2,834 ft | May 4 | Oct 10 |
| Mtn City 2, TN | 2,419 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
| Sparta 3.5 Ssw, NC | 3,011 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Lansing
- Warrensville, NC 28693 · last May 7, first Oct 8
- Grassy Creek, NC 28631 · last May 7, first Oct 8
- Whitetop, VA 24292 · last Apr 16, first Oct 27
- Crumpler, NC 28617 · last May 7, first Oct 8
- Creston, NC 28615 · last Apr 25, first Oct 21
- Jefferson, NC 28640 · last May 7, first Oct 8
- Mouth Of Wilson, VA 24363 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- West Jefferson, NC 28694 · last May 7, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lansing, NC?
- For ZIP code 28643, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jefferson 2 E, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Lansing, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28643?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.