Frost dates for 28725Dillsboro, NC
The average last spring frost in Dillsboro is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 17 · May 3 · May 17 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 19 · May 7 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 12 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dillsboro
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28725 is matched to the NOAA station Cullowhee, NC, 10.3 km away, at 2,192 ft elevation (56 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cullowhee, NC (used) | 2,192 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
| Cherokee, NC | 1,965 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 21 |
| Bryson City 4, NC | 1,985 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 24 |
| Franklin, NC | 2,125 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Dillsboro
- Webster, NC 28788 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Sylva, NC 28779 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Whittier, NC 28789 · last Apr 17, first Oct 21
- Cherokee, NC 28719 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Balsam, NC 28707 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Bryson City, NC 28713 · last Apr 17, first Oct 21
- Cullowhee, NC 28723 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Tuckasegee, NC 28783 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dillsboro, NC?
- For ZIP code 28725, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cullowhee, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Dillsboro, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28725?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.