Frost dates for 28697Wilkesboro, NC
The average last spring frost in Wilkesboro is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 8 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 10 · Apr 26 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 27 · Apr 11 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wilkesboro
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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28697 is matched to the NOAA station N Wilkesboro, NC, 3.1 km away, at 1,120 ft elevation (83 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N Wilkesboro, NC (used) | 1,120 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
| W Kerr Scott Resv, NC | 1,070 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Taylorsville, NC | 1,320 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 4 |
| Elkin, NC | 910 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Wilkesboro
- Moravian Falls, NC 28654 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Millers Creek, NC 28651 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Roaring River, NC 28669 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Boomer, NC 28606 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Purlear, NC 28665 · last Apr 7, first Nov 1
- Mc Grady, NC 28649 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
- Hays, NC 28635 · last Apr 10, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wilkesboro, NC?
- For ZIP code 28697, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the N Wilkesboro, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Wilkesboro, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28697?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.