Frost dates for 28331Cumberland, NC
The average last spring frost in Cumberland is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 236 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 236 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 22 · Apr 8 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 9 · Mar 28 | Nov 8 · Nov 26 · Dec 21 | 263 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cumberland
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 19 – Apr 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28331 is matched to the NOAA station Fayetteville Rgnl Ap, NC, 8.1 km away, at 186 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Rgnl Ap, NC (used) | 186 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 13 |
| Fayetteville (Pwc), NC | 96 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 10 |
| Raeford, NC | 250 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
| Lumberton, NC | 112 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Cumberland
- Fayetteville, NC 28304 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Hope Mills, NC 28348 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Pope Army Airfield, NC 28308 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
- Parkton, NC 28371 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Fort Bragg, NC 28307 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Lumber Bridge, NC 28357 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Rex, NC 28378 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Spring Lake, NC 28390 · last Mar 30, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cumberland, NC?
- For ZIP code 28331, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fayetteville Rgnl Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Cumberland, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28331?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 236 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.