Frost Dates for Waynesville, NC 28786
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost October 6 · 153 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 28786 has about 22,100 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Waynesville.
Moderate season: 153 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 23–May 19 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 18 (23 days).
Frost probability for 28786
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 19 | May 6 | April 23 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 6 | October 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WAYNESVILLE 1 E (3.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Waynesville, NC
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28786 | May 6 | October 6 | 7a |
| 28785 | May 6 | October 6 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 153-day season in Waynesville
In Waynesville (153 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 1 | May 20–May 27 | 111 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | Jun 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 15. | Aug 4 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 20. | Jul 10 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 216 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 11. | Jul 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 8. | Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 8. | Aug 4 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 13. | Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 6 | 258 | overwinter: Plant Oct 6 to Oct 27; harvest the following summer. | Oct 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 209 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | Jun 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 20. | May 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 29. | Jul 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 8. | Jul 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 20. | May 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 111 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | Jun 16 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 27. | Jul 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 13. | Jul 21 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 153 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 153 available after May 13. | Jun 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 111 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | Jun 1 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 111 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 20. | Jun 1 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 132 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 132 available after May 13. | Jul 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 118 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 118 available after May 20. | Jun 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 6. | Jun 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
Month by month in Waynesville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 11), Lavender (Feb 11), Onion (Feb 11), Rosemary (Feb 11), Celery (Feb 25), Collards (Feb 25), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), Sage (Mar 11), Swiss Chard (Mar 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 11), Beets (Mar 11), Dill (Mar 11), Peas (Mar 11), Radish (Mar 11), Spinach (Mar 11), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 1), Tomato (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Corn (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 8), Nasturtiums (Apr 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 8), Turnip (Apr 8), Carrots (Apr 15), Potatoes (Apr 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 8), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 8), Cabbage (Apr 8), Collards (Apr 8), Kale (Apr 8), Lettuce (Apr 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 1). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 6), Beans (May 13), Pole Beans (May 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 6), Lavender (May 6), Marigolds (May 6), Mint (May 6), Nasturtiums (May 6), Zinnias (May 6), +23 more. Last frost around May 6. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 24), Pumpkin (May 24). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Celery (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 6), Watermelon (Jun 6), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 5), Pole Beans (Jul 5), Basil (Jul 10), Cosmos (Jul 10), Cucumber (Jul 10), Zinnias (Jul 10), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 4), Carrots (Aug 4), Beets (Aug 5), Dill (Aug 5), Swiss Chard (Aug 5), Calendula (Aug 10), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 3), Spinach (Sep 3), Radish (Sep 4). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 6). First frost around October 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 27). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Waynesville, NC (ZIP 28786)?
The median last spring frost date for Waynesville, NC (ZIP code 28786) is around May 6. 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 23; one in ten it runs past May 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Waynesville, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Waynesville, NC is around October 6. 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 September 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Waynesville, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Waynesville is about 153 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 Waynesville (153 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Waynesville, NC?
Waynesville, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Waynesville, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in Waynesville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Waynesville?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13.
When do I plant garlic in Waynesville?
Oct 6 to Oct 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Canton (ZIP 28716) has 167 frost-free days, 14 more than Waynesville (ZIP 28786). See Canton ZIP 28716 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Canton, NC 28716 (7.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Clyde, NC 28721 (12.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Sylva, NC 28779 (14.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Cullowhee, NC 28723 (14.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Candler, NC 28715 (16.2 mi)
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- Look up another ZIP