Frost Dates for Taylorsville, NC 28681
Last spring frost April 23 · First fall frost October 20 · 180 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28681 has about 25,600 people.
Long season: 180 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 8–May 7 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 3 (29 days).
Frost probability for 28681
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 23 | April 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 20 | November 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at W KERR SCOTT RESV (23.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 180-day season in Taylorsville
In Taylorsville (180 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 | Mar 19 | May 7–May 14 | 138 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 138 available after May 7. | Jun 20 |
| Pepper | Mar 12 | May 7–May 14 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 7. | Jun 25 |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 2. | Aug 18 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Peas | — | Feb 26–May 7 | 243 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 243 available after Feb 26. | Aug 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Onion | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 26–Apr 16 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 26. | Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 26. | Aug 18 |
| Radish | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | 285 | overwinter: Plant Oct 20 to Nov 10; harvest the following summer. | Nov 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 19–May 14 | 236 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 30. | Jul 2 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 9 | May 7–May 7 | 145 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 145 available after May 7. | Jun 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 16. | Jul 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 229 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 26. | Jul 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 145 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 145 available after May 7. | Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 7. | Jun 30 |
| Okra | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14–May 14 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 26–Apr 16 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 30. | Aug 4 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 14 | 180 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 30. | Jun 15 |
| Scallions | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Collards | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 138 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 138 available after May 7. | Jun 15 |
| Chives | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Oregano | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Sage | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 194 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Cosmos | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Lavender | Jan 29 | Apr 23–May 7 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Melons | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 138 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 138 available after May 7. | Jun 15 |
| Mint | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 201 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 159 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 30. | Jul 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 145 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 145 available after May 7. | Jun 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jul 14 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 145 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 30. | Jun 25 |
| Watermelon | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 30. | Jun 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
Month by month in Taylorsville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 29), Lavender (Jan 29), Onion (Jan 29), Rosemary (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 12), Collards (Feb 12), Kale (Feb 12), Oregano (Feb 12), Parsley (Feb 12), Scallions (Feb 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 26), Beets (Feb 26), Dill (Feb 26), Peas (Feb 26), Radish (Feb 26), Spinach (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 5), Calendula (Mar 12), Cauliflower (Mar 12), Marigolds (Mar 12), Pepper (Mar 12), Basil (Mar 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 12), Cilantro (Mar 26), Turnip (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 26), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 26), Cabbage (Mar 26), Collards (Mar 26), Kale (Mar 26), Lettuce (Mar 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 2), Butternut Squash (Apr 9), Cantaloupe (Apr 9), Melons (Apr 9), Pumpkin (Apr 9), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 2), Potatoes (Apr 9), Sunflowers (Apr 23), Beans (Apr 30), Pole Beans (Apr 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Apr 9), Bok Choy (Apr 16), Cauliflower (Apr 16), Cosmos (Apr 23), Lavender (Apr 23), +15 more. Last frost around April 23. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 7), Cantaloupe (May 7), Cucumber (May 7), Eggplant (May 7), Melons (May 7), Pepper (May 7), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Pumpkin (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 15), Celery (Jun 15), Melons (Jun 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 17), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 2), Sunflowers (Jul 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 19), Pole Beans (Jul 19), Basil (Jul 24), Cosmos (Jul 24), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 3), Parsley (Aug 4), Peas (Aug 9), Cabbage (Aug 18), Carrots (Aug 18), Beets (Aug 19), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 2), Kohlrabi (Sep 2), Turnip (Sep 7), Arugula (Sep 17), Spinach (Sep 17), Radish (Sep 18). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 20). First frost around October 20. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 10). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Taylorsville, NC (ZIP 28681)?
The median last spring frost date for Taylorsville, NC (ZIP code 28681) is around April 23. 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 April 8; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Taylorsville, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Taylorsville, NC is around October 20. 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 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Taylorsville, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Taylorsville is about 180 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 Taylorsville (180 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 Taylorsville, NC?
Taylorsville, 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 Taylorsville, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 19 and plant out May 7 in Taylorsville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Taylorsville?
Two: plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27.
When do I plant garlic in Taylorsville?
Oct 20 to Nov 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Taylorsville?
Yes: plant out May 7 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 20 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Hickory (ZIP 28601) has 198 frost-free days, 18 more than Taylorsville (ZIP 28681). See Hickory ZIP 28601 frost dates
Nearby and related
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