Blowing Rock, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Blowing Rock compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Blowing Rock falls between April 8 and May 12, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 24 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 7% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 120 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Johnson City, TN, 69 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 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 Blowing Rock, NC
Blowing Rock, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 21, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Blowing Rock, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Blowing Rock 1nw, NC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 3,852 ft (1,174 m)).
Frost dates near Blowing Rock
- Boone May 2 · Oct 13
- Valle Crucis May 6 · Oct 14
- Banner Elk Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Vilas May 2 · Oct 13
- Collettsville May 5 · Oct 13
- Linville May 5 · Oct 13
- Deep Gap May 2 · Oct 13
- Sugar Grove Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Patterson Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Montezuma May 5 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Blowing Rock, NC?
The median last spring frost in Blowing Rock, NC is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Blowing Rock, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Blowing Rock, NC?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Blowing Rock, NC?
Blowing Rock, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.