Frost dates for 27007Ararat, NC
The average last spring frost in Ararat is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 186 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 186 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 8 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 2 | 186 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ararat
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27007 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Airy 2 W, NC, 13.5 km away, at 1,080 ft elevation (62 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Airy 2 W, NC (used) | 1,080 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Elkin, NC | 910 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Yadkinville 6 E, NC | 875 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
| Rural Hall, NC | 960 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Ararat
- Pilot Mountain, NC 27041 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Siloam, NC 27047 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- White Plains, NC 27031 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Dobson, NC 27017 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Mount Airy, NC 27030 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Toast, NC 27049 · last Apr 19, first Oct 23
- Pinnacle, NC 27043 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Boonville, NC 27011 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ararat, NC?
- For ZIP code 27007, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Airy 2 W, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Ararat, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27007?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 186 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.