Frost dates for 28384Saint Pauls, NC
The average last spring frost in Saint Pauls is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 234 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 234 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 211 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 24 · Apr 8 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Dec 2 | 234 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 8 · Mar 30 | Nov 5 · Nov 25 · Dec 22 | 262 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint Pauls
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28384 is matched to the NOAA station Lumberton, NC, 19.9 km away, at 112 ft elevation (52 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumberton, NC (used) | 112 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| Fayetteville Rgnl Ap, NC | 186 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 13 |
| Lumberton Muni Ap, NC | 121 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 10 |
| Raeford, NC | 250 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
Frost dates near Saint Pauls
- Rex, NC 28378 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Parkton, NC 28371 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Lumber Bridge, NC 28357 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
- Tar Heel, NC 28392 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Hope Mills, NC 28348 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Red Springs, NC 28377 · last Mar 25, first Nov 8
- Lumberton, NC 28360 · last Mar 24, first Nov 10
- Shannon, NC 28386 · last Apr 3, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Pauls, NC?
- For ZIP code 28384, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lumberton, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Saint Pauls, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. 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 28384?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 234 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.