Frost dates for 27244Elon, NC
The average last spring frost in Elon is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 25 · Apr 10 · May 2 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 10 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 29 · Apr 15 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 15 · Apr 3 | Nov 6 · Nov 23 · Dec 14 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elon
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 | Feb 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27244 is matched to the NOAA station Burlington Fire Stn #5, NC, 7.1 km away, at 660 ft elevation (45 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Fire Stn #5, NC (used) | 660 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 9 |
| Burlington Alamance Ap, NC | 617 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Haw Rvr 1E, NC | 636 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 3 |
| Greensboro Wtp, NC | 765 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Elon
- Gibsonville, NC 27249 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Burlington, NC 27216 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Alamance, NC 27201 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Altamahaw, NC 27202 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Sedalia, NC 27342 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Whitsett, NC 27377 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Haw River, NC 27258 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Graham, NC 27253 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elon, NC?
- For ZIP code 27244, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burlington Fire Stn #5, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Elon, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27244?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 226 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.