Frost dates for 28461Southport, NC
The average last spring frost in Southport is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 5 · Nov 23 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 24 · Apr 10 | Oct 31 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 7 · Mar 8 · Mar 30 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Dec 30 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Southport
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 28 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 28 |
| 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 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28461 is matched to the NOAA station Southport 5 N, NC, 4.2 km away, at 20 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southport 5 N, NC (used) | 20 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 17 |
| Wilmington 7 Se, NC | 30 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 15 |
| Shallotte Ag, NC | 20 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 17 |
| Wilmington Intl Ap, NC | 33 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Southport
- Oak Island, NC 28465 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Kure Beach, NC 28449 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Bolivia, NC 28422 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Carolina Beach, NC 28428 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Winnabow, NC 28479 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Wilmington, NC 28406 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Supply, NC 28462 · last Mar 20, first Nov 17
- Leland, NC 28451 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Southport, NC?
- For ZIP code 28461, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Southport 5 N, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Southport, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28461?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 239 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.