Frost dates for 27533Goldsboro, NC
The average last spring frost in Goldsboro is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 8 · Apr 20 | Oct 23 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 28 · Apr 11 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Nov 29 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 15 · Apr 2 | Nov 8 · Nov 24 · Dec 21 | 257 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 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27533 is matched to the NOAA station Goldsboro Ag 1 N, NC, 7.6 km away, at 109 ft elevation (37 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro Ag 1 N, NC (used) | 109 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 12 |
| Goldsboro 4 Se, NC | 109 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
| Mt Olive 6Se, NC | 162 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
| Smithfield, NC | 150 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Goldsboro
- Goldsboro, NC 27532 · last Mar 28, first Nov 12
- Dudley, NC 28333 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Princeton, NC 27569 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Pikeville, NC 27863 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Mount Olive, NC 28365 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Seven Springs, NC 28578 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Fremont, NC 27830 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Pine Level, NC 27568 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Goldsboro, NC?
- For ZIP code 27533, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Goldsboro Ag 1 N, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Goldsboro, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27533?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.