Mill Spring, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season208 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Mill Spring compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mill Spring falls between March 20 and April 20, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 208-day growing season is longer than 31% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 83 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Asheville, NC, 46 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Mill Spring, NC
Mill Spring, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 30, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mill Spring, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Lake Lure, NC weather station, 10 km away (elevation 1,040 ft (317 m)).
Frost dates near Mill Spring
- Columbus Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Lake Lure Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Lynn Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Chimney Rock Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Tryon Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Rutherfordton Apr 11 · Oct 27
- Bat Cave Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Edneyville Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Saluda Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Dana Apr 14 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mill Spring, NC?
The median last spring frost in Mill Spring, NC is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mill Spring, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Mill Spring, NC?
About 208 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mill Spring, NC?
Mill Spring, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.