Frost dates for 27889Washington, NC
The average last spring frost in Washington is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 237 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 237 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 26 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 22 · Apr 7 | Nov 3 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 8 · Mar 27 | Nov 11 · Nov 27 · Dec 23 | 265 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Washington
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 19 – Apr 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27889 is matched to the NOAA station Washington Wwtp 4W, NC, 7.3 km away, at 10 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Wwtp 4W, NC (used) | 10 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 15 |
| Greenville, NC | 32 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
| Williamston 1 E, NC | 20 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 12 |
| Aurora 6 N, NC | 20 ft | Mar 8 | Dec 5 |
Frost dates near Washington
- Grimesland, NC 27837 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Simpson, NC 27879 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Chocowinity, NC 27817 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- Stokes, NC 27884 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Greenville, NC 27858 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Winterville, NC 28590 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Williamston, NC 27892 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Everetts, NC 27825 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Washington, NC?
- For ZIP code 27889, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Washington Wwtp 4W, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Washington, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27889?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 237 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.