Frost dates for 27404Greensboro, NC
The average last spring frost in Greensboro is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 29 · Apr 13 · Apr 27 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 198 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 30 · Apr 14 | Oct 25 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 18 · Apr 4 | Nov 3 · Nov 17 · Dec 4 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Greensboro
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 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27404 is matched to the NOAA station Piedmont Triad Intl Ap, NC, 13.9 km away, at 890 ft elevation (63 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Triad Intl Ap, NC (used) | 890 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| Greensboro Wtp, NC | 765 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
| High Pt, NC | 900 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 5 |
| Randleman, NC | 810 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Greensboro
- Greensboro, NC 27402 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Mc Leansville, NC 27301 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
- Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Jamestown, NC 27282 · last Mar 30, first Nov 5
- Sedalia, NC 27342 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Browns Summit, NC 27214 · last Apr 5, first Nov 2
- Climax, NC 27233 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Whitsett, NC 27377 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Greensboro, NC?
- For ZIP code 27404, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Piedmont Triad Intl Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Greensboro, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27404?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.