Cherokee, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season187 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Cherokee compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cherokee falls between April 1 and May 6, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 16 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 187-day growing season is longer than 10% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Asheville, NC, 70 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 21 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 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 Cherokee, NC
Cherokee, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Oct 21, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cherokee, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| 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 Cherokee, NC weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,965 ft (599 m)).
Frost dates near Cherokee
- Whittier Apr 17 · Oct 21
- Bryson City Apr 16 · Oct 24
- Dillsboro Apr 19 · Oct 22
- Maggie Valley Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Webster Apr 19 · Oct 22
- Sylva Apr 19 · Oct 22
- Balsam Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Almond Apr 13 · Oct 26
- Hazelwood Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Waynesville Apr 30 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cherokee, NC?
The median last spring frost in Cherokee, NC is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cherokee, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Cherokee, NC?
About 187 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cherokee, NC?
Cherokee, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.