Frost dates for 28135Polkton, NC
The average last spring frost in Polkton is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 19 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 19 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 29 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 10 · Mar 29 | Nov 6 · Nov 22 · Dec 15 | 257 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Polkton
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 20 |
| 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 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 20 |
| 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 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28135 is matched to the NOAA station Wadesboro, NC, 7.4 km away, at 480 ft elevation (158 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wadesboro, NC (used) | 480 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
| Chesterfield 3 E, SC | 205 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| Pageland, SC | 520 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
| Monroe 2 Se, NC | 550 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Polkton
- Wadesboro, NC 28170 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Peachland, NC 28133 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Ansonville, NC 28007 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Lilesville, NC 28091 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Morven, NC 28119 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Marshville, NC 28103 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Mc Farlan, NC 28102 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Wingate, NC 28174 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Polkton, NC?
- For ZIP code 28135, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wadesboro, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Polkton, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28135?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.