Frost dates for 28337Elizabethtown, NC
The average last spring frost in Elizabethtown is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 226 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 226 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 24 · Apr 7 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 29 · Apr 13 | Oct 29 · Nov 8 · Nov 27 | 226 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 14 · Apr 2 | Nov 5 · Nov 19 · Dec 9 | 250 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elizabethtown
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 19 |
| 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 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 19 |
| 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 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28337 is matched to the NOAA station Elizabethtown, NC, 4 km away, at 120 ft elevation (58 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, NC (used) | 120 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
| Whiteville 7 Nw, NC | 90 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
| Lumberton, NC | 112 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| Lumberton Muni Ap, NC | 121 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Elizabethtown
- Dublin, NC 28332 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Clarkton, NC 28433 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- White Oak, NC 28399 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Garland, NC 28441 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Bladenboro, NC 28320 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Tar Heel, NC 28392 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Council, NC 28434 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Harrells, NC 28444 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elizabethtown, NC?
- For ZIP code 28337, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elizabethtown, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Elizabethtown, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28337?
- 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.