Frost dates for 28655 — Morganton, NC
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season204 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Morganton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Morganton falls between March 24 and April 26, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 204-day growing season is longer than 28% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 91 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gastonia, NC, 72 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
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 Morganton, NC
Frost dates for 28655 — Morganton, NC — last frost Apr 7, first frost Oct 28, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Morganton, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Morganton, NC weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,181 ft (360 m)).
ZIP codes in Morganton: 28655 28680
Frost dates near Morganton
- Glen Alpine Apr 7 · Oct 28
- Drexel Apr 7 · Oct 28
- Valdese Apr 7 · Oct 28
- Rutherford College Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Connelly Springs Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Nebo Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Icard Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Hudson Apr 7 · Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Morganton, NC?
The median last spring frost in Morganton, NC is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Morganton, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Morganton, NC?
About 204 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Morganton, NC?
Morganton, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.