Frost dates for 28663Piney Creek, NC
The average last spring frost in Piney Creek is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 30 · May 15 · Jun 1 | Sep 16 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 4 · May 22 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 20 · May 12 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Piney Creek
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28663 is matched to the NOAA station Transou, NC, 14.2 km away, at 2,834 ft elevation (30 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transou, NC (used) | 2,834 ft | May 4 | Oct 10 |
| Sparta 3.5 Ssw, NC | 3,011 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 22 |
| Jefferson 2 E, NC | 2,759 ft | May 7 | Oct 8 |
| Elk Creek 4Ssw, VA | 3,439 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Piney Creek
- Scottville, NC 28672 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Laurel Springs, NC 28644 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Crumpler, NC 28617 · last May 7, first Oct 8
- Mouth Of Wilson, VA 24363 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Grassy Creek, NC 28631 · last May 7, first Oct 8
- Sparta, NC 28675 · last Apr 22, first Oct 22
- Independence, VA 24348 · last Apr 26, first Oct 14
- Jefferson, NC 28640 · last May 7, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Piney Creek, NC?
- For ZIP code 28663, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Transou, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Piney Creek, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28663?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.