Frost dates for 27893Wilson, NC
The average last spring frost in Wilson is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 236 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 236 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 22 · Apr 8 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 7 · Mar 27 | Nov 9 · Nov 26 · Dec 20 | 265 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wilson
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 23 |
| 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 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 23 |
| 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 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27893 is matched to the NOAA station Wilson 3 Sw, NC, 4.2 km away, at 110 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson 3 Sw, NC (used) | 110 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 12 |
| Rocky Mt Wilson Ap, NC | 160 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
| Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC | 110 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
| Goldsboro Ag 1 N, NC | 109 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Wilson
- Wilson, NC 27895 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Black Creek, NC 27813 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Elm City, NC 27822 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Lucama, NC 27851 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Sims, NC 27880 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Saratoga, NC 27873 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Stantonsburg, NC 27883 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Sharpsburg, NC 27878 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wilson, NC?
- For ZIP code 27893, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wilson 3 Sw, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Wilson, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27893?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 236 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.