Frost dates for 28733Fontana Dam, NC
The average last spring frost in Fontana Dam is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 194 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 194 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 161 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 28 · May 13 | Oct 5 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 13 · May 2 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 194 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fontana Dam
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28733 is matched to the NOAA station Robbinsville Ag 5 Ne, NC, 8.9 km away, at 2,330 ft elevation (849 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robbinsville Ag 5 Ne, NC (used) | 2,330 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
| Tapoco, NC | 1,110 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 27 |
| Townsend 5S, TN | 1,893 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| Andrews, NC | 1,749 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Fontana Dam
- Robbinsville, NC 28771 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Almond, NC 28702 · last Apr 17, first Oct 21
- Andrews, NC 28901 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Topton, NC 28781 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Tallassee, TN 37878 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
- Townsend, TN 37882 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
- Bryson City, NC 28713 · last Apr 17, first Oct 21
- Maryville, TN 37803 · last Apr 17, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fontana Dam, NC?
- For ZIP code 28733, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Robbinsville Ag 5 Ne, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Fontana Dam, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. 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 28733?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 194 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.