Frost dates for 27531Goldsboro, NC
The average last spring frost in Goldsboro is March 15 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 250 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 250 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 9 · Mar 29 · Apr 12 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 23 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 15 · Apr 1 | Nov 2 · Nov 18 · Dec 7 | 250 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 | Nov 14 · Dec 4 · Jan 1 | 282 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Goldsboro
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 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27531 is matched to the NOAA station Goldsboro 4 Se, NC, 0.2 km away, at 109 ft elevation (24 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro 4 Se, NC (used) | 109 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
| Goldsboro Ag 1 N, NC | 109 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 12 |
| Mt Olive 6Se, NC | 162 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
| Snow Hill Waste Water Treament, NC | 41 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Goldsboro
- Goldsboro, NC 27534 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Dudley, NC 28333 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Seven Springs, NC 28578 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Pikeville, NC 27863 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- La Grange, NC 28551 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Mount Olive, NC 28365 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Princeton, NC 27569 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Fremont, NC 27830 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Goldsboro, NC?
- For ZIP code 27531, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Goldsboro 4 Se, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Goldsboro, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27531?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 250 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.