Frost dates for 28711Black Mountain, NC
The average last spring frost in Black Mountain is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 21 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 21 · Oct 6 · Oct 22 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 26 · May 13 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 12 · May 2 | Oct 11 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Black Mountain
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28711 is matched to the NOAA station Celo 2 S, NC, 27.1 km away, at 2,700 ft elevation (558 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celo 2 S, NC (used) | 2,700 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
| Black Mtn 2 W, NC | 2,290 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| N Fk 2, NC | 2,480 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Swannanoa 2 Sse, NC | 4,320 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Black Mountain
- Ridgecrest, NC 28770 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Montreat, NC 28757 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Swannanoa, NC 28778 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Old Fort, NC 28762 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Fairview, NC 28730 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Gerton, NC 28735 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Bat Cave, NC 28710 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Asheville, NC 28805 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Black Mountain, NC?
- For ZIP code 28711, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Celo 2 S, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Black Mountain, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. 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 28711?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.