Frost dates for 27540Holly Springs, NC
The average last spring frost in Holly Springs is March 27 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 227 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 227 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 11 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 27 · Apr 10 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 227 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 15 · Mar 31 | Nov 5 · Nov 21 · Dec 12 | 253 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Holly Springs
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 24 – May 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – May 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27540 is matched to the NOAA station Apex, NC, 12.9 km away, at 450 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex, NC (used) | 450 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
| New Hill, NC | 320 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 3 |
| Cary, NC | 390 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 10 |
| Garner, NC | 330 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Holly Springs
- Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- New Hill, NC 27562 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Apex, NC 27502 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Cary, NC 27518 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Kipling, NC 27543 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Willow Spring, NC 27592 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Angier, NC 27501 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Raleigh, NC 27603 · last Mar 28, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Holly Springs, NC?
- For ZIP code 27540, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Apex, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Holly Springs, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27540?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 227 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.