Forest City 8 W, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Forest City 8 W garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 11
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
199 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 27 Apr 11 Apr 28
First fall frost Nov 8 Oct 27 Oct 14
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 28 · first Nov 5

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FOREST CITY 8 W station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Forest City 8 W

Computed from Forest City 8 W's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 14 – Feb 28 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🫑 Peppers Jan 31 – Feb 14 Apr 25 – May 2
🥬 Lettuce Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 14 – Apr 11
🫛 Peas Feb 28 – Mar 14
🥕 Carrots Mar 21 – Apr 11
🥦 Broccoli Feb 21 – Mar 7 Mar 21 – Apr 4
🥬 Kale Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 14 – Mar 28
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 14 – Mar 21 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🥒 Zucchini Mar 14 – Mar 21 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 18 – Apr 25
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 18 – Apr 25
🌿 Basil Feb 28 – Mar 14 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 2
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 15 – Oct 13

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Forest City 8 W's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Forest City 8 W

Roughly 199 frost-free days gives Forest City 8 W gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 11; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 27 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Forest City 8 W, NC?

The average last spring frost in Forest City 8 W is around Apr 11, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Forest City 8 W, NC?

The average first fall frost in Forest City 8 W arrives around Oct 27. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Forest City 8 W?

About 199 frost-free days on average, from Apr 11 to Oct 27. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Forest City 8 W in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.