Frost dates for 28718Cedar Mountain, NC
The average last spring frost in Cedar Mountain is April 10 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (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 22 · May 7 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 184 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 10 · Apr 28 | Oct 22 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 30 · Apr 16 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cedar 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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 13 |
| 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 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 13 |
| 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) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28718 is matched to the NOAA station Caesars Head, SC, 5 km away, at 3,200 ft elevation (451 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caesars Head, SC (used) | 3,200 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
| Brevard, NC | 2,175 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Pisgah Forest 3 Ne, NC | 2,190 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Table Rock, SC | 1,100 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Cedar Mountain
- Cleveland, SC 29635 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Penrose, NC 28766 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Brevard, NC 28712 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Rosman, NC 28772 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Marietta, SC 29661 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Zirconia, NC 28790 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Slater, SC 29683 · last Mar 16, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cedar Mountain, NC?
- For ZIP code 28718, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Caesars Head, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Cedar Mountain, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28718?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.