Forest City, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season199 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Forest City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Forest City falls between March 27 and April 28, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 199-day growing season is longer than 21% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 13 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 99 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gastonia, NC, 61 km away, the last frost here is 15 days later than there and the growing season is 28 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 27 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
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 Forest City, NC
Forest City, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 27, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Forest City, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Forest City 8 W, NC weather station, 13 km away (elevation 850 ft (259 m)).
Frost dates near Forest City
- Caroleen Apr 11 · Oct 27
- Ellenboro Apr 12 · Oct 25
- Spindale Apr 11 · Oct 27
- Henrietta Apr 11 · Oct 27
- Cliffside Apr 12 · Oct 25
- Harris Apr 11 · Oct 27
- Rutherfordton Apr 11 · Oct 27
- Mooresboro Apr 12 · Oct 25
- Bostic Apr 11 · Oct 27
- Lattimore Apr 12 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Forest City, NC?
The median last spring frost in Forest City, NC is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Forest City, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Forest City, NC?
About 199 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Forest City, NC?
Forest City, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.