Frost dates for 28445Holly Ridge, NC
The average last spring frost in Holly Ridge is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (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 21 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Dec 3 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 15 · Mar 31 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 20 | 258 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Holly Ridge
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 24 |
| 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 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 24 |
| 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 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28445 is matched to the NOAA station Surf City, NC, 5.6 km away, at 24 ft elevation (35 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surf City, NC (used) | 24 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 13 |
| New River Mcaf, NC | 26 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| Jacksonville Eoc, NC | 17 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 8 |
| Wilmington 7 N, NC | 40 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Holly Ridge
- Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Hampstead, NC 28443 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Camp Lejeune, NC 28542 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Maple Hill, NC 28454 · last Apr 1, first Nov 7
- Jacksonville, NC 28541 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Mccutcheon Field, NC 28545 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Wilmington, NC 28411 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Holly Ridge, NC?
- For ZIP code 28445, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Surf City, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Holly Ridge, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28445?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 233 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.