WNC High-Elevation Spring Resilience: How to Protect Your Mountain Garden This April

WNC -- The average last frost date for Asheville and Waynesville is around April 20, but high-elevation gardens in Western North Carolina (WNC) remain at risk for damaging freezes well into Mother’s Day. As the 2026 spring climate outlook predicts slightly warmer temperatures but persistent drought, mountain gardeners must balance "green-up" excitement with the reality of sudden, high-altitude cold snaps.Successfully "wildflowering" your property in the Blue Ridge requires more than just a calen