Frost Dates for Gastonia, NC 28056
Last spring frost March 29 · First fall frost November 8 · 224 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28056 has about 36,200 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Gastonia.
Long season: 224 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 11–April 15 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans October 21–November 25 (35 days).
Frost probability for 28056
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | March 29 | March 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 21 | November 8 | November 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AP (15.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 224-day season in Gastonia
In Gastonia (224 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 12. | Jul 9 |
| Pepper | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 12. | Jul 14 |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 8. | Sep 6 |
| Cucumber | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Peas | — | Feb 1–Apr 12 | 287 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 1. | Aug 28 |
| Zucchini | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Onion | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 259 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 1–Mar 22 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Kale | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 259 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 1. | Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 273 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 1. | Sep 6 |
| Radish | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Oct 7 |
| Beets | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 8 | 329 | overwinter: Plant Nov 8 to Nov 29; harvest the following summer. | Nov 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 22–Apr 19 | 280 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 5. | Jul 21 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 12. | Jun 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 22. | Aug 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 1. | Aug 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 12. | Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 12. | Jul 19 |
| Okra | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Basil | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 1–Mar 22 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Parsley | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 5. | Aug 23 |
| Celery | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 224 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 5. | Jul 4 |
| Scallions | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 1 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Collards | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 182 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 12. | Jul 4 |
| Chives | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Oregano | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Sage | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Cosmos | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Lavender | Jan 4 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Melons | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 182 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 12. | Jul 4 |
| Mint | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 203 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 5. | Aug 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 12. | Jul 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 29. | Aug 2 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 5. | Jul 14 |
| Watermelon | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 5. | Jul 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Zinnias | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
Month by month in Gastonia
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 4), Lavender (Jan 4), Onion (Jan 4), Rosemary (Jan 4), Celery (Jan 18), Collards (Jan 18), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 1), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 1), Cabbage (Feb 1), Lettuce (Feb 1), Sage (Feb 1), Swiss Chard (Feb 1), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 1), Beets (Feb 1), Dill (Feb 1), Peas (Feb 1), Radish (Feb 1), Spinach (Feb 1), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 1), Corn (Mar 1), Cosmos (Mar 1), Nasturtiums (Mar 1), Okra (Mar 1), Zinnias (Mar 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 1), Turnip (Mar 1), Carrots (Mar 8), Potatoes (Mar 15), Sunflowers (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), +12 more. Last frost around March 29. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 5), Pole Beans (Apr 5). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 5), Chives (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Oregano (Apr 5), Parsley (Apr 5), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 26), Pumpkin (Jun 26). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 4), Celery (Jul 4), Melons (Jul 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 6), Tomato (Jul 9), Watermelon (Jul 9), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 2), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 7), Pole Beans (Aug 7), Basil (Aug 12), Cosmos (Aug 12), Cucumber (Aug 12), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 6), Carrots (Sep 6), Beets (Sep 7), Dill (Sep 7), Swiss Chard (Sep 7), Calendula (Sep 12), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 6), Spinach (Oct 6), Radish (Oct 7). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 8). First frost around November 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 29). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Gastonia, NC (ZIP 28056)?
The median last spring frost date for Gastonia, NC (ZIP code 28056) is around March 29. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 11; one in ten it runs past April 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Gastonia, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Gastonia, NC is around November 8. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gastonia, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Gastonia is about 224 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Gastonia (224 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Gastonia, NC?
Gastonia, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Gastonia, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 22 and plant out Apr 12 in Gastonia. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gastonia?
Two: plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15.
When do I plant garlic in Gastonia?
Nov 8 to Nov 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gastonia?
Yes: plant out Apr 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 9 for a fall crop.
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