Frost dates for 28038Earl, NC
The average last spring frost in Earl is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 160 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 10 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 6 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Earl
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28038 is matched to the NOAA station Shelby 2 Nw, NC, 13 km away, at 820 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby 2 Nw, NC (used) | 820 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Ninety Nine Is, SC | 500 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 24 |
| Gastonia Muni Ap, NC | 797 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
| Lincolnton 4 W, NC | 887 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Earl
- Grover, NC 28073 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Shelby, NC 28152 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Blacksburg, SC 29702 · last Apr 20, first Oct 24
- Boiling Springs, NC 28017 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Kings Mountain, NC 28086 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Lattimore, NC 28089 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Gaffney, SC 29340 · last Apr 20, first Oct 24
- Mooresboro, NC 28114 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Earl, NC?
- For ZIP code 28038, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shelby 2 Nw, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Earl, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28038?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.