Frost dates for 28664Plumtree, NC
The average last spring frost in Plumtree is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 27 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 30 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 16 · May 5 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Plumtree
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28664 is matched to the NOAA station Banner Elk, NC, 17.5 km away, at 3,770 ft elevation (394 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Elk, NC (used) | 3,770 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Spruce Pine 2 Ne, NC | 2,850 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 20 |
| Roan Mtn 3Sw, TN | 2,923 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Grandfather Mtn, NC | 5,280 ft | May 5 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Plumtree
- Minneapolis, NC 28652 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Newland, NC 28657 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Crossnore, NC 28616 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Montezuma, NC 28653 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Pineola, NC 28662 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Linville Falls, NC 28647 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Linville, NC 28646 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Jonas Ridge, NC 28641 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Plumtree, NC?
- For ZIP code 28664, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Banner Elk, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Plumtree, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28664?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.