Last frost date in Shelby, NC
In Shelby, the last spring frost comes around April 12 in an average year. Wait until April 28 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 25, which leaves 195 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 12 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 28
- Average first frost
- Oct 25
- Frost-free season
- 195 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 31
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2243°
- FriOct 2343°
- SatOct 2441°
- SunOct 2541°
- MonOct 2642°
- TueOct 2746°
- WedOct 2846°
Planting calendar for Shelby
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across North Carolina.
TomatoesApr 19–May 3
PumpkinsApr 26–May 10
SunflowersApr 12–May 3
CucumbersApr 26–May 3
CornApr 19–May 3
Sweet potatoesMay 3–May 17
WatermelonApr 26–May 10
Green beansApr 19–May 10
ZucchiniApr 19–May 3
OkraMay 3–May 17
PeppersApr 26–May 10
BasilApr 19–May 3
Butternut squashApr 19–May 3
CantaloupeApr 26–May 10
EggplantApr 26–May 10
PotatoesMar 15–Mar 29
OnionsMar 1–Mar 22
CarrotsMar 22–Apr 26
LettuceMar 29–Apr 19
BroccoliMar 15–Mar 29
BeetsMar 15–Apr 26
PeasMar 1–Mar 15
CabbageMar 15–Mar 29
RadishesMar 8–Apr 19
Brussels sproutsMar 29–Apr 12
SpinachMar 1–Mar 22
CilantroMar 29–Apr 19
KaleMar 15–Mar 29
Collard greensMar 15–Mar 29
TurnipsMar 15–Mar 29
DillApr 12–Apr 26
CeleryApr 19–Apr 26
CauliflowerMar 29–Apr 12
LeeksMar 29–Apr 12
Swiss chardMar 29–Apr 26
ParsleyMar 29–Apr 19
Tulip bulbsOct 11–Nov 15
GarlicOct 4–Nov 8
Daffodil bulbsSep 27–Nov 8
StrawberriesMar 15–Mar 29
AsparagusMar 15–Mar 29Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 27 | Apr 12 | Apr 28 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 | Nov 5 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 13 | Mar 31 | Apr 16 | Oct 21 | Nov 2 | Nov 18 |
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 Shelby 2 NW (USC00317845) sits 2.0 miles from the center of Shelby at 820 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 Shelby, NC?
The average last frost date in Shelby is April 12, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 28.
When is the first frost in Shelby?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 25. One year in ten it arrives before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Shelby?
About 195 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Shelby?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 19 to May 3. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in North Carolina
- GastoniaMar 27
- HickoryMar 31
- HuntersvilleMar 30
- CorneliusApr 1
- CharlotteMar 30
- MooresvilleApr 9
- MatthewsMar 31
- HarrisburgApr 1
- Mint HillMar 31
- StatesvilleApr 16
- WaxhawMar 31
- ConcordApr 1