This document has been adapted from the growing guide found in the North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook (2018). It was created as a resource for local growers in the Ashe County area, within USDA hardiness zones 6a & 6b. Currently, Ashe County’s average Last Spring Frost date, conservatively, is May 15th, and the First Fall Frost date is October 1st.

Ashe County Planting Guide

How to use this document : Growers should find the crop they wish to grow and review the days to harvest time provided. The days until harvest will not only provide the number of days, but also how that crop should be started (direct seeded; transplanted; etc.). Growers can also review spacing requirements for each crop as well. More information on certain crop’s nutrients, soil or cultural considerations at plants.ces.ncsu.edu.

Next, growers should look at the calendar portion of the chart to review when it is safe to plant. The planting dates take into consideration factors such as the frost dates, time till harvest, and optimal growing conditions (Temperature, precipitation, sunlight). Growers should plan to plant their crops within the calendar windows provided. For planting dates that fall directly on or after the average last frost date, Growers need to review current weather and wait to plant after the current season's last frost date. Some crops also have fall planting windows provided as well. For more information or crop specific questions, please contact the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Ashe County Center at (336) 846-5850.

For more information on gardening in North Carolina, see go.ncsu.edu/eg-handbook and gardening.ces.ncsu.edu.