Frost dates for 28776Skyland, NC
The average last spring frost in Skyland is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 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 7 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 9 · Apr 27 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 26 · Apr 10 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 228 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Skyland
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28776 is matched to the NOAA station Asheville Rgnl Ap, NC, 5.9 km away, at 2,117 ft elevation (147 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville Rgnl Ap, NC (used) | 2,117 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Fletcher 3 W, NC | 2,070 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 21 |
| Bent Creek, NC | 2,110 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
| Asheville 13 S, NC | 2,103 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Skyland
- Asheville, NC 28813 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Arden, NC 28704 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Fletcher, NC 28732 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Mills River, NC 28759 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Naples, NC 28760 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Fairview, NC 28730 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Mountain Home, NC 28758 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Hendersonville, NC 28791 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Skyland, NC?
- For ZIP code 28776, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Asheville Rgnl Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Skyland, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. 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 28776?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.