Old Fort, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Old Fort compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Old Fort falls between April 6 and May 9, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 20 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 185-day growing season is longer than 8% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 16 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 108 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Asheville, NC, 34 km away, the last frost here is 15 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Old Fort, NC
Old Fort, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 23, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Old Fort, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Old Ft Ag 3 W, NC weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,424 ft (434 m)).
Frost dates near Old Fort
- Black Mountain Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Ridgecrest Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Montreat Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Marion Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Glenwood Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Lake Lure Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Chimney Rock Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Bat Cave Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Swannanoa Apr 19 · Oct 23
- Gerton Apr 22 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Old Fort, NC?
The median last spring frost in Old Fort, NC is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Old Fort, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Old Fort, NC?
About 185 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Old Fort, NC?
Old Fort, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.