Frost dates for 28759Mills River, NC
The average last spring frost in Mills River 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 10 (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 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 17 · May 4 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 2 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mills River
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 28759 is matched to the NOAA station Asheville 13 S, NC, 3.3 km away, at 2,103 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville 13 S, NC (used) | 2,103 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Fletcher 3 W, NC | 2,070 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 21 |
| Asheville Rgnl Ap, NC | 2,117 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Asheville 8 Ssw, NC | 2,151 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Mills River
- Horse Shoe, NC 28742 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Hendersonville, NC 28791 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Mountain Home, NC 28758 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Naples, NC 28760 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Etowah, NC 28729 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Arden, NC 28704 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Fletcher, NC 28732 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Skyland, NC 28776 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mills River, NC?
- For ZIP code 28759, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Asheville 13 S, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Mills River, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. 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 28759?
- 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.