Bakersville, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Bakersville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bakersville falls between April 5 and May 13, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 23 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 178-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 8 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 96 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Johnson City, TN, 38 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bakersville, NC
Bakersville, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 19, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bakersville, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Burnsville Ag, NC weather station, 15 km away (elevation 2,825 ft (861 m)).
Frost dates near Bakersville
- Green Mountain Apr 24 · Oct 19
- Penland Apr 26 · Oct 20
- Micaville Apr 24 · Oct 19
- Plumtree Apr 26 · Oct 20
- Spruce Pine Apr 26 · Oct 20
- Burnsville Apr 24 · Oct 19
- Minneapolis Apr 30 · Oct 12
- Little Switzerland Apr 26 · Oct 15
- Crossnore Apr 26 · Oct 20
- Newland May 5 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bakersville, NC?
The median last spring frost in Bakersville, NC is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bakersville, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Bakersville, NC?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bakersville, NC?
Bakersville, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.