Frost dates for 28467Calabash, NC
The average last spring frost in Calabash is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 11 (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 21 · Apr 6 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 26 · Apr 11 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 10 · Mar 31 | Nov 6 · Nov 25 · Dec 21 | 259 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Calabash
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 22 |
| 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 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 22 |
| 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 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28467 is matched to the NOAA station Longwood, NC, 12.1 km away, at 40 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longwood, NC (used) | 40 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| N Myrtle Bch Ap, SC | 32 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 20 |
| Shallotte Ag, NC | 20 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 17 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 39 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Calabash
- Sunset Beach, NC 28468 · last Mar 20, first Nov 17
- Little River, SC 29566 · last Mar 13, first Nov 20
- Longwood, NC 28452 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 · last Mar 13, first Nov 20
- Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469 · last Mar 20, first Nov 17
- Shallotte, NC 28459 · last Mar 20, first Nov 17
- Ash, NC 28420 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Longs, SC 29568 · last Mar 13, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Calabash, NC?
- For ZIP code 28467, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Longwood, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Calabash, 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 28467?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.