Vale Ag 2 SW, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Vale Ag 2 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 12
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 28
~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 31 Apr 12 Apr 26
First fall frost Nov 9 Oct 28 Oct 16
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 1 · first Nov 5

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the VALE AG 2 SW 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 Vale Ag 2 SW

Computed from Vale Ag 2 SW'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 15 – Mar 1 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🫑 Peppers Feb 1 – Feb 15 Apr 26 – May 3
🥬 Lettuce Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 15 – Apr 12
🫛 Peas Mar 1 – Mar 15
🥕 Carrots Mar 22 – Apr 12
🥦 Broccoli Feb 22 – Mar 8 Mar 22 – Apr 5
🥬 Kale Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 15 – Mar 29
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 15 – Mar 22 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🥒 Zucchini Mar 15 – Mar 22 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 19 – Apr 26
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 19 – Apr 26
🌿 Basil Mar 1 – Mar 15 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 26 – May 3
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 16 – Oct 14

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 Vale Ag 2 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Vale Ag 2 SW

Roughly 199 frost-free days gives Vale Ag 2 SW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 12; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 28 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Vale Ag 2 SW, NC?

The average last spring frost in Vale Ag 2 SW is around Apr 12, 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 Vale Ag 2 SW, NC?

The average first fall frost in Vale Ag 2 SW arrives around Oct 28. 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 Vale Ag 2 SW?

About 199 frost-free days on average, from Apr 12 to Oct 28. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Vale Ag 2 SW 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.