Frost dates for 27824Engelhard, NC
The average last spring frost in Engelhard is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 26 · Apr 9 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 29 · Apr 10 | Oct 31 · Nov 13 · Dec 2 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 13 · Mar 31 | Nov 10 · Nov 30 · Dec 25 | 260 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Engelhard
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 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27824 is matched to the NOAA station Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC, 23.5 km away, at 10 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC (used) | 10 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 13 |
| Fairfield, NC | 5 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
| Swanquarter Ferry, NC | 3 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 25 |
| Ocracoke, NC | 4 ft | Mar 1 | Dec 20 |
Frost dates near Engelhard
- Fairfield, NC 27826 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Swanquarter, NC 27885 · last Mar 18, first Nov 25
- Stumpy Point, NC 27978 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Manns Harbor, NC 27953 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Scranton, NC 27875 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Ocracoke, NC 27960 · last Mar 1, first Dec 20
- Hatteras, NC 27943 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Columbia, NC 27925 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Engelhard, NC?
- For ZIP code 27824, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Engelhard, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27824?
- 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.