Frost dates for 28137Richfield, NC
The average last spring frost in Richfield is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 27 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 29 · Apr 14 | Oct 24 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 16 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 7 | 246 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richfield
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 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28137 is matched to the NOAA station Albemarle, NC, 9.8 km away, at 610 ft elevation (13 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albemarle, NC (used) | 610 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 4 |
| Concord, NC | 700 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Salisbury, NC | 700 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Salisbury 9 Wnw, NC | 725 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Richfield
- Misenheimer, NC 28109 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
- New London, NC 28127 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
- Gold Hill, NC 28071 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Mount Pleasant, NC 28124 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Albemarle, NC 28001 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
- Badin, NC 28009 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
- Rockwell, NC 28138 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Salisbury, NC 28146 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richfield, NC?
- For ZIP code 28137, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Albemarle, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Richfield, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28137?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.