Frost dates for 28744Franklin, NC
The average last spring frost in Franklin is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 15 · May 1 · May 15 | Oct 2 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 17 · May 4 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Franklin
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28744 is matched to the NOAA station Franklin, NC, 1.1 km away, at 2,125 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin, NC (used) | 2,125 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Coweeta Exp Stn, NC | 2,247 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
| Highlands, NC | 3,850 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Cullowhee, NC | 2,192 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Franklin
- Franklin, NC 28734 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Otto, NC 28763 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Scaly Mountain, NC 28775 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Highlands, NC 28741 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Cullowhee, NC 28723 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Dillard, GA 30537 · last Apr 18, first Oct 25
- Webster, NC 28788 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Dillsboro, NC 28725 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Franklin, NC?
- For ZIP code 28744, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Franklin, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Franklin, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28744?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.