Frost dates for 28731Flat Rock, NC
The average last spring frost in Flat Rock is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 12 · Apr 27 · May 14 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 216 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Flat Rock
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28731 is matched to the NOAA station Hendersonville 1 Ne, NC, 6.9 km away, at 2,160 ft elevation (9 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendersonville 1 Ne, NC (used) | 2,160 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
| Tryon, NC | 1,320 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 12 |
| Asheville Rgnl Ap, NC | 2,117 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Asheville 13 S, NC | 2,103 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Flat Rock
- East Flat Rock, NC 28726 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Dana, NC 28724 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Saluda, NC 28773 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Tuxedo, NC 28784 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Hendersonville, NC 28792 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Zirconia, NC 28790 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Edneyville, NC 28727 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Mountain Home, NC 28758 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Flat Rock, NC?
- For ZIP code 28731, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hendersonville 1 Ne, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Flat Rock, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28731?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.