Last frost date in Asheville, NC
In Asheville, the last spring frost comes around April 6 in an average year. Wait until April 24 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 31, which leaves 205 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 17 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 24
- Average first frost
- Oct 31
- Frost-free season
- 205 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 26
Frost possible in low spots Thu night, low 36°F
Earlier than usual: the average first frost here is October 31.
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2236°possible frost
- FriOct 2338°
- SatOct 2435°possible frost
- SunOct 2535°possible frost
- MonOct 2636°possible frost
- TueOct 2740°
- WedOct 2840°
Planting calendar for Asheville
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across North Carolina.
TomatoesApr 13–Apr 27
PumpkinsApr 20–May 4
SunflowersApr 6–Apr 27
CucumbersApr 20–Apr 27
CornApr 13–Apr 27
Sweet potatoesApr 27–May 11
WatermelonApr 20–May 4
Green beansApr 13–May 4
ZucchiniApr 13–Apr 27
OkraApr 27–May 11
PeppersApr 20–May 4
BasilApr 13–Apr 27
Butternut squashApr 13–Apr 27
CantaloupeApr 20–May 4
EggplantApr 20–May 4
PotatoesMar 9–Mar 23
OnionsFeb 23–Mar 16
CarrotsMar 16–Apr 20
LettuceMar 23–Apr 13
BroccoliMar 9–Mar 23
BeetsMar 9–Apr 20
PeasFeb 23–Mar 9
CabbageMar 9–Mar 23
RadishesMar 2–Apr 13
Brussels sproutsMar 23–Apr 6
SpinachFeb 23–Mar 16
CilantroMar 23–Apr 13
KaleMar 9–Mar 23
Collard greensMar 9–Mar 23
TurnipsMar 9–Mar 23
DillApr 6–Apr 20
CeleryApr 13–Apr 20
CauliflowerMar 23–Apr 6
LeeksMar 23–Apr 6
Swiss chardMar 23–Apr 20
ParsleyMar 23–Apr 13
Tulip bulbsOct 17–Nov 21
GarlicOct 10–Nov 14
Daffodil bulbsOct 3–Nov 14
StrawberriesMar 9–Mar 23
AsparagusMar 9–Mar 23Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 20 | Apr 6 | Apr 24 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 7 | Mar 26 | Apr 10 | Oct 28 | Nov 10 | Nov 28 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Asheville (USW00013872) sits 1.7 miles from the center of Asheville at 2,238 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Asheville, NC?
The average last frost date in Asheville is April 6, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 24.
When is the first frost in Asheville?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 31. One year in ten it arrives before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Asheville?
About 205 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Asheville?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 13 to April 27. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in North Carolina
- ShelbyApr 12
- HickoryMar 31
- GastoniaMar 27
- CorneliusApr 1
- HuntersvilleMar 30
- StatesvilleApr 16
- MooresvilleApr 9
- CharlotteMar 30
- KannapolisApr 1
- MatthewsMar 31
- ConcordApr 1
- HarrisburgApr 1