Frost dates for 27847Kelford, NC
The average last spring frost in Kelford is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 223 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 223 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 9 · Apr 23 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 9 | 202 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 29 · Apr 12 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 223 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 16 · Apr 1 | Nov 4 · Nov 21 · Dec 11 | 251 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kelford
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 18 |
| 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 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 18 |
| 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 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27847 is matched to the NOAA station Lewiston, NC, 6.3 km away, at 50 ft elevation (22 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston, NC (used) | 50 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 7 |
| Murfreesboro, NC | 100 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Jackson, NC | 123 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
| Williamston 1 E, NC | 20 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Kelford
- Roxobel, NC 27872 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Aulander, NC 27805 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Lewiston Woodville, NC 27849 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
- Rich Square, NC 27869 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Woodland, NC 27897 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Potecasi, NC 27867 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Ahoskie, NC 27910 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Scotland Neck, NC 27874 · last Mar 29, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kelford, NC?
- For ZIP code 27847, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lewiston, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Kelford, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27847?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 223 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.