Frost dates for 27216Burlington, 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)
First frost typically in 0 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 27216 is matched to the NOAA station Burlington Alamance Ap, NC, 0.3 km away, at 617 ft elevation (10 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 27215 · 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
- Gibsonville, NC 27249 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Swepsonville, NC 27359 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Haw River, NC 27258 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Burlington, NC?
- For ZIP code 27216, 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 27216?
- 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.