Frost dates for 28675Sparta, NC
The average last spring frost in Sparta is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 18 · May 5 · May 21 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 22 · May 11 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 6 · Apr 27 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sparta
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28675 is matched to the NOAA station Sparta 3.5 Ssw, NC, 5.7 km away, at 3,011 ft elevation (237 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta 3.5 Ssw, NC (used) | 3,011 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 22 |
| Elk Creek 4Ssw, VA | 3,439 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 27 |
| Transou, NC | 2,834 ft | May 4 | Oct 10 |
| Galax Wtp, VA | 2,341 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Sparta
- Laurel Springs, NC 28644 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Glade Valley, NC 28627 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Independence, VA 24348 · last Apr 26, first Oct 14
- Ennice, NC 28623 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Piney Creek, NC 28663 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Scottville, NC 28672 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Roaring Gap, NC 28668 · last Apr 26, first Oct 14
- Hays, NC 28635 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sparta, NC?
- For ZIP code 28675, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sparta 3.5 Ssw, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Sparta, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28675?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 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.