Frost dates for 27885Swanquarter, NC
The average last spring frost in Swanquarter is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 253 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 253 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 8 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 22 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 13 · Mar 29 · Apr 10 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Nov 28 | 227 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 18 · Mar 31 | Nov 8 · Nov 25 · Dec 13 | 253 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 5 · Mar 21 | Nov 19 · Dec 8 · Jan 5 | 280 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Swanquarter
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27885 is matched to the NOAA station Swanquarter Ferry, NC, 4.6 km away, at 3 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swanquarter Ferry, NC (used) | 3 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 25 |
| Fairfield, NC | 5 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 4 |
| Belhaven 3 Ne, NC | 0 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
| Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC | 10 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Swanquarter
- Fairfield, NC 27826 · last Apr 7, first Nov 4
- Scranton, NC 27875 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Engelhard, NC 27824 · last Mar 29, first Nov 13
- Lowland, NC 28552 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Hobucken, NC 28537 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Belhaven, NC 27810 · last Mar 8, first Dec 5
- Vandemere, NC 28587 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Pantego, NC 27860 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Swanquarter, NC?
- For ZIP code 27885, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Swanquarter Ferry, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Swanquarter, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27885?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 253 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.