Frost dates for 28748Leicester, NC
The average last spring frost in Leicester is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (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 16 · May 2 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 28 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 7 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Leicester
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 28748 is matched to the NOAA station Candler 1 W, NC, 11.7 km away, at 2,240 ft elevation (37 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candler 1 W, NC (used) | 2,240 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
| Enka, NC | 2,050 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 23 |
| Asheville, NC | 2,238 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| Marshall, NC | 1,920 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Leicester
- Asheville, NC 28802 · last Apr 12, first Oct 23
- Alexander, NC 28701 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Candler, NC 28715 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Weaverville, NC 28787 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Enka, NC 28728 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Canton, NC 28716 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Clyde, NC 28721 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Marshall, NC 28753 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Leicester, NC?
- For ZIP code 28748, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Candler 1 W, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Leicester, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28748?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.