Frost dates for 27891Whitakers, NC
The average last spring frost in Whitakers is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 23 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 204 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 30 · Apr 10 | Oct 29 · Nov 9 · Nov 28 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 15 · Apr 1 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 11 | 251 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whitakers
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 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27891 is matched to the NOAA station Tarboro 1 S, NC, 26.7 km away, at 35 ft elevation (47 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarboro 1 S, NC (used) | 35 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 9 |
| Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC | 110 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
| Rocky Mt Wilson Ap, NC | 160 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
| Arcola, NC | 330 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Whitakers
- Battleboro, NC 27809 · last Mar 30, first Nov 9
- Enfield, NC 27823 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
- Rocky Mount, NC 27804 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Red Oak, NC 27868 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Nashville, NC 27856 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Tarboro, NC 27886 · last Mar 30, first Nov 9
- Sharpsburg, NC 27878 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Tillery, NC 27887 · last Apr 5, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whitakers, NC?
- For ZIP code 27891, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tarboro 1 S, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Whitakers, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27891?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 226 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.