Frost dates for 28327Carthage, NC
The average last spring frost in Carthage is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 219 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 219 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 28 | Oct 16 · Oct 28 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 1 · Apr 19 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 219 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 17 · Apr 5 | Nov 2 · Nov 15 · Dec 2 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Carthage
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28327 is matched to the NOAA station Carthage Wtp, NC, 3 km away, at 440 ft elevation (36 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carthage Wtp, NC (used) | 440 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
| Jackson Springs 5 Wnw, NC | 730 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 14 |
| Raeford, NC | 250 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| Sanford 8 Ne, NC | 262 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Carthage
- Southern Pines, NC 28388 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Cameron, NC 28326 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Lakeview, NC 28350 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Pinehurst, NC 28370 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- West End, NC 27376 · last Mar 25, first Nov 14
- Vass, NC 28394 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Lemon Springs, NC 28355 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Aberdeen, NC 28315 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carthage, NC?
- For ZIP code 28327, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Carthage Wtp, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Carthage, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. 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 28327?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 219 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.