Frost dates for 28671Rutherford College, NC
The average last spring frost in Rutherford College is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 202 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 202 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 5 · Apr 22 · May 10 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 7 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 202 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 28 · Apr 13 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rutherford College
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28671 is matched to the NOAA station Morganton, NC, 13.7 km away, at 1,180 ft elevation (27 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton, NC (used) | 1,180 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 28 |
| Hickory Faa Ap, NC | 1,143 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
| Lenoir, NC | 1,155 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
| Vale Ag 2 Sw, NC | 985 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Rutherford College
- Connelly Springs, NC 28612 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Valdese, NC 28690 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Icard, NC 28666 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Drexel, NC 28619 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Rhodhiss, NC 28667 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Granite Falls, NC 28630 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Hildebran, NC 28637 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Hudson, NC 28638 · last Apr 7, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rutherford College, NC?
- For ZIP code 28671, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Morganton, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Rutherford College, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. 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 28671?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 202 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.