Frost dates for 28466Wallace, NC
The average last spring frost in Wallace is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 25 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 10 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 6 | Nov 3 · Nov 20 · Dec 12 | 246 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wallace
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 | Mar 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28466 is matched to the NOAA station Wallace 1Se, NC, 4.5 km away, at 35 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallace 1Se, NC (used) | 35 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 7 |
| Willard 4 Sw, NC | 55 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 5 |
| Warsaw 5 E, NC | 110 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 30 |
| Moores Creek Nb, NC | 22 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Wallace
- Teachey, NC 28464 · last Apr 1, first Nov 7
- Rose Hill, NC 28458 · last Apr 1, first Nov 7
- Willard, NC 28478 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
- Magnolia, NC 28453 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Chinquapin, NC 28521 · last Apr 1, first Nov 7
- Burgaw, NC 28425 · last Apr 2, first Nov 5
- Maple Hill, NC 28454 · last Apr 1, first Nov 7
- Beulaville, NC 28518 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wallace, NC?
- For ZIP code 28466, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wallace 1Se, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Wallace, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28466?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.