Frost dates for 27917Barco, NC
The average last spring frost in Barco is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 17 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 28 · Apr 11 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 14 · Mar 31 | Nov 8 · Nov 27 · Dec 21 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Barco
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 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27917 is matched to the NOAA station Elizabeth City Cgas, NC, 20.7 km away, at 13 ft elevation (13 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth City Cgas, NC (used) | 13 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 12 |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 8 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 17 |
| Fentress Naas, VA | 16 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 18 |
| Wallaceton-Lake Drummond, VA | 20 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Barco
- Coinjock, NC 27923 · last Mar 28, first Nov 12
- Maple, NC 27956 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Aydlett, NC 27916 · last Mar 28, first Nov 12
- Currituck, NC 27929 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Shawboro, NC 27973 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Poplar Branch, NC 27965 · last Mar 28, first Nov 12
- Shiloh, NC 27974 · last Mar 28, first Nov 12
- Corolla, NC 27927 · last Mar 28, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Barco, NC?
- For ZIP code 27917, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elizabeth City Cgas, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Barco, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. 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 27917?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.