Frost dates for 28806Asheville, NC
The average last spring frost in Asheville is April 6 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 205 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 205 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 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 5 · Apr 20 · May 9 | Oct 9 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 24 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 205 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 26 · Apr 10 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Asheville
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28806 is matched to the NOAA station Asheville, NC, 4.9 km away, at 2,238 ft elevation (30 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC (used) | 2,238 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| Enka, NC | 2,050 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 23 |
| Bent Creek, NC | 2,110 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 18 |
| Candler 1 W, NC | 2,240 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Asheville
- Asheville, NC 28801 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Candler, NC 28715 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Leicester, NC 28748 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Enka, NC 28728 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Skyland, NC 28776 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Alexander, NC 28701 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Arden, NC 28704 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Weaverville, NC 28787 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Asheville, NC?
- For ZIP code 28806, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Asheville, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Asheville, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28806?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 205 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.