Frost dates for 27962Plymouth, NC
The average last spring frost in Plymouth is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 23 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 200 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 31 · Apr 15 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 17 · Apr 2 | Nov 4 · Nov 21 · Dec 11 | 249 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Plymouth
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27962 is matched to the NOAA station Plymouth 5 E, NC, 7.9 km away, at 20 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth 5 E, NC (used) | 20 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
| Edenton, NC | 10 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 14 |
| Williamston 1 E, NC | 20 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 12 |
| Belhaven 3 Ne, NC | 0 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Plymouth
- Roper, NC 27970 · last Mar 31, first Nov 7
- Jamesville, NC 27846 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Windsor, NC 27983 · last Mar 20, first Nov 12
- Pantego, NC 27860 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Merry Hill, NC 27957 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
- Edenton, NC 27932 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
- Creswell, NC 27928 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
- Pinetown, NC 27865 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Plymouth, NC?
- For ZIP code 27962, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Plymouth 5 E, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Plymouth, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27962?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.