Frost dates for 28607 — Boone, NC
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Boone compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Boone falls between April 17 and May 19, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 31 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 164-day growing season is among the shortest of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 16 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 127 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Johnson City, TN, 70 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 21 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Boone, NC
Frost dates for 28607 — Boone, NC — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 13, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Boone, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Boone 1 Se, NC weather station, 2 km away (elevation 3,100 ft (945 m)).
ZIP codes in Boone: 28607 28608
Frost dates near Boone
- Blowing Rock Apr 25 · Oct 21
- Vilas May 2 · Oct 13
- Valle Crucis May 6 · Oct 14
- Deep Gap May 2 · Oct 13
- Zionville May 2 · Oct 13
- Todd May 2 · Oct 13
- Fleetwood May 2 · Oct 13
- Banner Elk Apr 30 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Boone, NC?
The median last spring frost in Boone, NC is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Boone, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Boone, NC?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Boone, NC?
Boone, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.