Valle Crucis, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season161 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Valle Crucis compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Valle Crucis falls between April 22 and May 23, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 35 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 161-day growing season is among the shortest of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 20 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 125 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Johnson City, TN, 60 km away, the last frost here is 15 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Valle Crucis, NC
Valle Crucis, NC frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 14, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Valle Crucis, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Beech Mtn, NC weather station, 9 km away (elevation 5,052 ft (1,540 m)).
Frost dates near Valle Crucis
- Vilas May 2 · Oct 13
- Banner Elk Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Sugar Grove Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Boone May 2 · Oct 13
- Blowing Rock Apr 25 · Oct 21
- Zionville May 2 · Oct 13
- Elk Park Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Linville May 5 · Oct 13
- Montezuma May 5 · Oct 13
- Newland May 5 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Valle Crucis, NC?
The median last spring frost in Valle Crucis, NC is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Valle Crucis, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Valle Crucis, NC?
About 161 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Valle Crucis, NC?
Valle Crucis, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.