Frost dates for 27868Red Oak, NC
The average last spring frost in Red Oak is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 219 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 219 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 30 · Apr 13 · May 1 | Oct 16 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 25 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 219 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 21 · Apr 6 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 4 | 241 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Red Oak
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27868 is matched to the NOAA station Rocky Mt Wilson Ap, NC, 22.3 km away, at 160 ft elevation (27 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mt Wilson Ap, NC (used) | 160 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
| Arcola, NC | 330 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC | 110 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
| Louisburg, NC | 260 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Red Oak
- Nashville, NC 27856 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Rocky Mount, NC 27804 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Castalia, NC 27816 · last Apr 11, first Oct 29
- Whitakers, NC 27891 · last Mar 30, first Nov 9
- Battleboro, NC 27809 · last Mar 30, first Nov 9
- Sharpsburg, NC 27878 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Spring Hope, NC 27882 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Hollister, NC 27844 · last Apr 3, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Red Oak, NC?
- For ZIP code 27868, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rocky Mt Wilson Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Red Oak, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. 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 27868?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 219 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.