Frost dates for 27215Burlington, NC
The average last spring frost in Burlington is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 149 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) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · May 3 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 18 · Apr 3 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Nov 30 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Burlington
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27215 is matched to the NOAA station Burlington Alamance Ap, NC, 2 km away, at 617 ft elevation (33 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Alamance Ap, NC (used) | 617 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Burlington Fire Stn #5, NC | 660 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 9 |
| Haw Rvr 1E, NC | 636 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 3 |
| Cane Creek Rsvr, NC | 525 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Burlington
- Alamance, NC 27201 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Burlington, NC 27216 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Elon, NC 27244 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Graham, NC 27253 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Whitsett, NC 27377 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Swepsonville, NC 27359 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Gibsonville, NC 27249 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Sedalia, NC 27342 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Burlington, NC?
- For ZIP code 27215, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burlington Alamance Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Burlington, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27215?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.