Frost dates for 28754Mars Hill, NC
The average last spring frost in Mars Hill is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 24 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 27 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 14 · May 2 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mars Hill
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28754 is matched to the NOAA station Marshall, NC, 13.8 km away, at 1,920 ft elevation (396 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall, NC (used) | 1,920 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 18 |
| Burnsville Ag, NC | 2,825 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
| Mt Mitchell, NC | 6,240 ft | May 16 | Oct 4 |
| N Fk 2, NC | 2,480 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Mars Hill
- Barnardsville, NC 28709 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Weaverville, NC 28787 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Marshall, NC 28753 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Flag Pond, TN 37657 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Alexander, NC 28701 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Asheville, NC 28814 · last Apr 22, first Oct 24
- Burnsville, NC 28714 · last Apr 24, first Oct 19
- Leicester, NC 28748 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mars Hill, NC?
- For ZIP code 28754, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marshall, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Mars Hill, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28754?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.