Frost dates for 27808Bath, NC
The average last spring frost in Bath is March 8 and the average first fall frost is December 5, giving a typical growing season of about 272 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 5
- Growing season
- 272 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 32 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 3 · Mar 23 · Apr 8 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 11 | 245 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 8 · Mar 28 | Nov 16 · Dec 5 · Dec 30 | 272 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 26 · Feb 19 · Mar 15 | Nov 30 · Dec 25 · Jan 18 | 303 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bath
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 25 – Dec 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27808 is matched to the NOAA station Aurora 6 N, NC, 9.2 km away, at 20 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora 6 N, NC (used) | 20 ft | Mar 8 | Dec 5 |
| Belhaven 3 Ne, NC | 0 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
| Washington Wwtp 4W, NC | 10 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 15 |
| Bayboro 3 Sw, NC | 5 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Bath
- Pinetown, NC 27865 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Belhaven, NC 27810 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Blounts Creek, NC 27814 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Pantego, NC 27860 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Aurora, NC 27806 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Edward, NC 27821 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Scranton, NC 27875 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Lowland, NC 28552 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bath, NC?
- For ZIP code 27808, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Aurora 6 N, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Bath, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27808?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 272 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.