Frost dates for 28023China Grove, NC
The average last spring frost in China Grove is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 203 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 203 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 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) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 10 | Oct 10 · Oct 21 · Oct 31 | 181 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 203 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 28 · Apr 10 | Oct 26 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 223 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for China Grove
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 | Mar 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28023 is matched to the NOAA station Salisbury 9 Wnw, NC, 14.7 km away, at 725 ft elevation (62 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury 9 Wnw, NC (used) | 725 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Salisbury, NC | 700 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Concord, NC | 700 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Mocksville 5Se, NC | 680 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near China Grove
- Landis, NC 28088 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Kannapolis, NC 28081 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Faith, NC 28041 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Salisbury, NC 28147 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Mount Ulla, NC 28125 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Granite Quarry, NC 28072 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Rockwell, NC 28138 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Concord, NC 28027 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in China Grove, NC?
- For ZIP code 28023, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Salisbury 9 Wnw, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in China Grove, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28023?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 203 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.