Frost dates for 28774Sapphire, NC
The average last spring frost in Sapphire is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 6 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 171 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 24 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sapphire
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28774 is matched to the NOAA station Lake Toxaway 2 Sw, NC, 5.7 km away, at 3,200 ft elevation (14 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Toxaway 2 Sw, NC (used) | 3,200 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Jocassee 8 Wnw, SC | 2,540 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
| Highlands, NC | 3,850 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Table Rock, SC | 1,100 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Sapphire
- Cashiers, NC 28717 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
- Glenville, NC 28736 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Rosman, NC 28772 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Tamassee, SC 29686 · last Apr 11, first Oct 30
- Highlands, NC 28741 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Sunset, SC 29685 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Balsam Grove, NC 28708 · last Apr 15, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sapphire, NC?
- For ZIP code 28774, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lake Toxaway 2 Sw, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Sapphire, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28774?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.