Frost dates for 28328Clinton, NC
The average last spring frost in Clinton is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 22 · Apr 6 · Apr 19 | Oct 17 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 26 · Apr 8 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 14 · Mar 31 | Nov 3 · Nov 18 · Dec 9 | 253 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clinton
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28328 is matched to the NOAA station Clinton 2 Ne, NC, 4.7 km away, at 158 ft elevation (20 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton 2 Ne, NC (used) | 158 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 7 |
| Warsaw 5 E, NC | 110 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
| Mt Olive 6Se, NC | 162 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
| Wallace 1Se, NC | 35 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Clinton
- Clinton, NC 28329 · last Mar 26, first Nov 7
- Turkey, NC 28393 · last Mar 26, first Nov 7
- Salemburg, NC 28385 · last Mar 26, first Nov 7
- Roseboro, NC 28382 · last Mar 26, first Nov 7
- Faison, NC 28341 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Newton Grove, NC 28366 · last Mar 26, first Nov 7
- Calypso, NC 28325 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Garland, NC 28441 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clinton, NC?
- For ZIP code 28328, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clinton 2 Ne, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Clinton, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28328?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 226 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.