Last spring frost
Apr 26
Frost Dates for Spruce Pine, NC
First fall frost
Oct 15
Growing season
171 days
Hardiness zone
7a
In an average year around Spruce Pine, NC, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Apr 26 and the first fall frost is about Oct 15, giving roughly a 171-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Apr 8 before setting out tender plants.
Last spring frost
Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.
| Frost intensity | Early (10%) | Average (50%) | Late (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (36°F) | May 24 | May 7 | Apr 21 |
| Freeze (32°F) | May 13 | Apr 26 | Apr 8 |
| Hard (28°F) | May 2 | Apr 12 | Mar 27 |
| Severe (24°F) | Apr 15 | Mar 31 | Mar 12 |
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
| °F | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 24 | May 17 | May 13 | May 10 | May 7 | May 5 | May 2 | Apr 29 | Apr 21 |
| 32°F | May 13 | May 7 | May 3 | Apr 30 | Apr 26 | Apr 22 | Apr 18 | Apr 14 | Apr 8 |
| 28°F | May 2 | Apr 24 | Apr 20 | Apr 16 | Apr 12 | Apr 9 | Apr 4 | Mar 31 | Mar 27 |
| 24°F | Apr 15 | Apr 9 | Apr 4 | Apr 1 | Mar 31 | Mar 28 | Mar 24 | Mar 19 | Mar 12 |
| 20°F | Apr 3 | Mar 29 | Mar 25 | Mar 22 | Mar 18 | Mar 14 | Mar 9 | Mar 3 | Feb 25 |
| 16°F | Mar 24 | Mar 18 | Mar 13 | Mar 7 | Mar 3 | Feb 27 | Feb 20 | Feb 13 | Feb 5 |
First fall frost
Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.
| Frost intensity | Early (10%) | Average (50%) | Late (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (36°F) | Sep 21 | Oct 6 | Oct 22 |
| Freeze (32°F) | Oct 1 | Oct 15 | Nov 1 |
| Hard (28°F) | Oct 11 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 |
| Severe (24°F) | Oct 22 | Nov 4 | Nov 21 |
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
| °F | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Sep 21 | Sep 26 | Sep 30 | Oct 4 | Oct 6 | Oct 9 | Oct 12 | Oct 15 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F | Oct 1 | Oct 6 | Oct 9 | Oct 13 | Oct 15 | Oct 19 | Oct 22 | Oct 26 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Oct 11 | Oct 15 | Oct 20 | Oct 23 | Oct 26 | Oct 29 | Nov 1 | Nov 3 | Nov 8 |
| 24°F | Oct 22 | Oct 26 | Oct 30 | Nov 2 | Nov 4 | Nov 7 | Nov 10 | Nov 14 | Nov 21 |
| 20°F | Nov 1 | Nov 5 | Nov 9 | Nov 13 | Nov 15 | Nov 19 | Nov 24 | Nov 29 | Dec 6 |
| 16°F | Nov 11 | Nov 17 | Nov 22 | Nov 28 | Dec 1 | Dec 5 | Dec 9 | Dec 17 | Dec 28 |
Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.
Where this data comes from
@endif These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Celo 2 S, Nc, about 4.9 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 2,700 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.
How we calculate these dates
Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Spruce Pine, NC?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Spruce Pine, NC is about Apr 26. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Apr 8.
When is the first frost in the fall?
The first fall frost around Spruce Pine, NC typically arrives about Oct 15. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.
When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?
Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Apr 26 on average, or Apr 8 to be safe most years.
How long is the growing season here?
The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 171 days in a typical year.
Are these dates a forecast for this year?
No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.
Local weather for 28749 Planting calendar → North Carolina frost dates →
Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026