Frost dates for 28762Old Fort, NC
The average last spring frost in Old Fort is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 209 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 209 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 153 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 3 · Apr 19 · May 6 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 209 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 24 · Apr 8 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 233 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Old Fort
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28762 is matched to the NOAA station Marion, NC, 16.3 km away, at 1,410 ft elevation (102 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion, NC (used) | 1,410 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Old Ft Ag 3 W, NC | 1,425 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| N Fk 2, NC | 2,480 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Black Mtn 2 W, NC | 2,290 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Old Fort
- Black Mountain, NC 28711 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Ridgecrest, NC 28770 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Montreat, NC 28757 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Marion, NC 28752 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Glenwood, NC 28737 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Lake Lure, NC 28746 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Chimney Rock, NC 28720 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Bat Cave, NC 28710 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Old Fort, NC?
- For ZIP code 28762, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marion, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Old Fort, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28762?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 209 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.