Frost dates for 27930Hertford, NC
The average last spring frost in Hertford is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 238 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 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 20 | Oct 24 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 24 · Apr 8 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 9 · Mar 27 | Nov 11 · Dec 1 · Dec 26 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hertford
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27930 is matched to the NOAA station Edenton, NC, 20.8 km away, at 10 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edenton, NC (used) | 10 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 14 |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 8 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 17 |
| Elizabeth City Cgas, NC | 13 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 12 |
| Plymouth 5 E, NC | 20 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Hertford
- Winfall, NC 27985 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
- Hertford, NC 27944 · last Mar 28, first Nov 12
- Belvidere, NC 27919 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Tyner, NC 27980 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
- Edenton, NC 27932 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
- Elizabeth City, NC 27907 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Hobbsville, NC 27946 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Sunbury, NC 27979 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hertford, NC?
- For ZIP code 27930, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Edenton, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Hertford, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. 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 27930?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.