Frost dates for 27510Carrboro, NC
The average last spring frost in Carrboro is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 218 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 218 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (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 · Apr 30 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 23 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 218 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 19 · Apr 1 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 242 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Carrboro
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27510 is matched to the NOAA station Chapel Hill 2 W, NC, 1 km away, at 500 ft elevation (96 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill 2 W, NC (used) | 500 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
| Chapel Hill Williams Ap, NC | 512 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| Durham 11 W, NC | 562 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
| Cane Creek Rsvr, NC | 525 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Carrboro
- Chapel Hill, NC 27516 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Bynum, NC 27228 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Durham, NC 27713 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Pittsboro, NC 27312 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Hillsborough, NC 27278 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Cary, NC 27519 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Saxapahaw, NC 27340 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Efland, NC 27243 · last Mar 29, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carrboro, NC?
- For ZIP code 27510, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chapel Hill 2 W, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Carrboro, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27510?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 218 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.