Frost dates for 27526Fuquay Varina, NC
The average last spring frost in Fuquay Varina is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 26 · Apr 10 · Apr 23 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 12 | Oct 30 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 17 · Apr 2 | Nov 7 · Nov 24 · Dec 17 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fuquay Varina
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 21 |
| 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 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 21 |
| 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 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27526 is matched to the NOAA station Cary, NC, 15.6 km away, at 390 ft elevation (59 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary, NC (used) | 390 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 10 |
| Garner, NC | 330 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| New Hill, NC | 320 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 3 |
| Apex, NC | 450 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Fuquay Varina
- Holly Springs, NC 27540 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Willow Spring, NC 27592 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Kipling, NC 27543 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Angier, NC 27501 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Apex, NC 27502 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Cary, NC 27518 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- New Hill, NC 27562 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Raleigh, NC 27603 · last Mar 28, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fuquay Varina, NC?
- For ZIP code 27526, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cary, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Fuquay Varina, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27526?
- 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.