Frost dates for 28766Penrose, NC
The average last spring frost in Penrose is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (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 15 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 19 · May 8 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 23 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Penrose
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 3 |
| 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 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 3 |
| 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 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28766 is matched to the NOAA station Pisgah Forest 3 Ne, NC, 3.2 km away, at 2,190 ft elevation (185 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pisgah Forest 3 Ne, NC (used) | 2,190 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Brevard, NC | 2,175 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Caesars Head, SC | 3,200 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
| Hendersonville 1 Ne, NC | 2,160 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Penrose
- Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Etowah, NC 28729 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Brevard, NC 28712 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Cedar Mountain, NC 28718 · last Apr 10, first Nov 2
- Hendersonville, NC 28793 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Horse Shoe, NC 28742 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Zirconia, NC 28790 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Mills River, NC 28759 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Penrose, NC?
- For ZIP code 28766, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pisgah Forest 3 Ne, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Penrose, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28766?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 186 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.