Frost dates for 27565Oxford, NC
The average last spring frost in Oxford is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 222 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 222 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 26 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Mar 30 · Apr 14 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 25 | 222 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 2 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 10 | 250 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oxford
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 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27565 is matched to the NOAA station Oxford Ag, NC, 3.1 km away, at 500 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford Ag, NC (used) | 500 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
| Henderson 2 Nnw, NC | 480 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Henderson 4 Nne, NC | 500 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 9 |
| Roxboro 7 Ese, NC | 710 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Oxford
- Stovall, NC 27582 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Stem, NC 27581 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Henderson, NC 27536 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Bullock, NC 27507 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Kittrell, NC 27544 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Creedmoor, NC 27522 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Townsville, NC 27584 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Butner, NC 27509 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oxford, NC?
- For ZIP code 27565, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oxford Ag, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Oxford, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27565?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 222 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.