Frost dates for 28814Asheville, NC
The average last spring frost in Asheville is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 17 · May 5 · May 21 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 22 · May 11 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 9 · Apr 27 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 205 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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28814 is matched to the NOAA station Swannanoa 2 Sse, NC, 14.1 km away, at 4,320 ft elevation (757 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swannanoa 2 Sse, NC (used) | 4,320 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
| Asheville, NC | 2,238 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| N Fk 2, NC | 2,480 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| Black Mtn 2 W, NC | 2,290 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Asheville
- Asheville, NC 28810 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Weaverville, NC 28787 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Swannanoa, NC 28778 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
- Barnardsville, NC 28709 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Alexander, NC 28701 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Montreat, NC 28757 · last Apr 26, first Oct 15
- Fairview, NC 28730 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Ridgecrest, NC 28770 · last Apr 5, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Asheville, NC?
- For ZIP code 28814, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Swannanoa 2 Sse, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Asheville, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28814?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.