Frost dates for 28056 — Gastonia, NC
Last spring frostMar 24median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season230 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Gastonia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gastonia falls between March 4 and April 10, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 230-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier 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 60 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Charlotte, NC, 27 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 12 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 Gastonia, NC
Frost dates for 28056 — Gastonia, NC — last frost Mar 24, first frost Nov 9, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gastonia, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Feb 24 – Mar 31 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Basil | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 31 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Gastonia Muni Ap, NC weather station, 4 km away (elevation 797 ft (243 m)).
ZIP codes in Gastonia: 28052 28053 28054 28055 28056
Frost dates near Gastonia
- Cramerton Mar 27 · Nov 9
- Lowell Mar 27 · Nov 9
- Mc Adenville Mar 27 · Nov 9
- Belmont Mar 30 · Nov 3
- Mount Holly Mar 27 · Nov 9
- Dallas Mar 27 · Nov 9
- Stanley Mar 27 · Nov 9
- Bessemer City Mar 27 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gastonia, NC?
The median last spring frost in Gastonia, NC is March 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gastonia, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Gastonia, NC?
About 230 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gastonia, NC?
Gastonia, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.