Frost dates for 28770Ridgecrest, NC
The average last spring frost in Ridgecrest is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (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 4 · Apr 21 · May 11 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 22 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 16 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 24 · Apr 7 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 30 | 231 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ridgecrest
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 11 |
| 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 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 11 |
| 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 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28770 is matched to the NOAA station N Fk 2, NC, 6.3 km away, at 2,480 ft elevation (72 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N Fk 2, NC (used) | 2,480 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Black Mtn 2 W, NC | 2,290 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Swannanoa 2 Sse, NC | 4,320 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
| Mt Mitchell, NC | 6,240 ft | May 16 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Ridgecrest
- Black Mountain, NC 28711 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Montreat, NC 28757 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Swannanoa, NC 28778 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Old Fort, NC 28762 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Fairview, NC 28730 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Gerton, NC 28735 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Asheville, NC 28805 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Bat Cave, NC 28710 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ridgecrest, NC?
- For ZIP code 28770, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the N Fk 2, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Ridgecrest, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28770?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.