Asheville, NC planting zone & frost dates
Asheville is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 6 and the first fall frost around October 31, for a growing season of about 205 days.
Planting calendar for Asheville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 6) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 31).
Useful for zone 7b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 20 | Apr 6 | Apr 24 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 13 | Oct 31 | Oct 17 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 24, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 17. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 26.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Asheville
- 28801 zone 7b
- 28802 zone 7b
- 28803 zone 7b
- 28804 zone 7b
- 28805 zone 7b
- 28806 zone 7b
- 28810 zone 7b
- 28813 zone 7b
- 28814 zone 7b
- 28815 zone 7b
- 28816 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Hendersonville zone 7b, last frost Apr 14
- Morganton zone 7b, last frost Apr 7
- Lenoir zone 7b, last frost Apr 7
- Shelby zone 8a, last frost Apr 12
- Boone zone 7a, last frost May 2
- Hickory zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- Kings Mountain zone 8a, last frost Mar 24
- Lincolnton zone 8a, last frost Apr 9
Questions
What growing zone is Asheville, NC?
Asheville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Asheville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Asheville is April 6. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 24.
When can I plant tomatoes in Asheville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 13 – Apr 20. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Asheville, NC (USW00013872), 0.7 km (0.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 682 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.