Frost dates for 28714Burnsville, NC
The average last spring frost in Burnsville is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 6 · May 22 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 26 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 24 · May 13 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 6 · May 1 | Oct 13 · Oct 28 · Nov 13 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Burnsville
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28714 is matched to the NOAA station Burnsville Ag, NC, 2.8 km away, at 2,825 ft elevation (134 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnsville Ag, NC (used) | 2,825 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
| Celo 2 S, NC | 2,700 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
| Mt Mitchell, NC | 6,240 ft | May 16 | Oct 4 |
| Spruce Pine 2 Ne, NC | 2,850 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Burnsville
- Micaville, NC 28755 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Green Mountain, NC 28740 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Penland, NC 28765 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Bakersville, NC 28705 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Little Switzerland, NC 28749 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Spruce Pine, NC 28777 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Barnardsville, NC 28709 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Mars Hill, NC 28754 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Burnsville, NC?
- For ZIP code 28714, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burnsville Ag, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Burnsville, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28714?
- 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.