Frost dates for 27591Wendell, NC
The average last spring frost in Wendell is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 211 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 211 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · Apr 30 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 5 | 191 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 20 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 211 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 27 · Apr 12 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 233 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wendell
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 | Mar 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27591 is matched to the NOAA station Clayton Wtp, NC, 18.6 km away, at 300 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Wtp, NC (used) | 300 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 3 |
| Clayton 3E, NC | 332 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
| Raleigh 4 Sw, NC | 420 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 9 |
| Raleigh State Univ, NC | 400 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Wendell
- Zebulon, NC 27597 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Knightdale, NC 27545 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Raleigh, NC 27629 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Rolesville, NC 27571 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Clayton, NC 27527 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Middlesex, NC 27557 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Wake Forest, NC 27588 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Bunn, NC 27508 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wendell, NC?
- For ZIP code 27591, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clayton Wtp, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Wendell, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27591?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 211 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.