Frost dates for 28906Murphy, NC
The average last spring frost in Murphy is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 19 · May 4 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 161 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Oct 8 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 9 · Apr 27 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 204 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Murphy
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 – Jun 30 |
| 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 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 30 |
| 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 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28906 is matched to the NOAA station Murphy 4Ese, NC, 9.2 km away, at 1,600 ft elevation (375 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murphy 4Ese, NC (used) | 1,600 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
| Andrews, NC | 1,749 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Hayesville 1 Ne, NC | 1,792 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 21 |
| Blairsville Exp Stn, GA | 1,949 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Murphy
- Marble, NC 28905 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Brasstown, NC 28902 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Warne, NC 28909 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Culberson, NC 28903 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Andrews, NC 28901 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Young Harris, GA 30582 · last Apr 26, first Oct 19
- Hayesville, NC 28904 · last Apr 21, first Oct 21
- Farner, TN 37333 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Murphy, NC?
- For ZIP code 28906, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Murphy 4Ese, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Murphy, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28906?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 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.