Frost dates for 28469Ocean Isle Beach, NC
The average last spring frost in Ocean Isle Beach is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 243 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 243 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (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 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 20 | 222 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 4 | Nov 3 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 243 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 5 · Mar 7 · Mar 26 | Nov 12 · Dec 1 · Jan 1 | 273 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ocean Isle Beach
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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28469 is matched to the NOAA station Shallotte Ag, NC, 5.6 km away, at 20 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shallotte Ag, NC (used) | 20 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 17 |
| Longwood, NC | 40 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| N Myrtle Bch Ap, SC | 32 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 20 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 39 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Ocean Isle Beach
- Shallotte, NC 28459 · last Mar 20, first Nov 17
- Sunset Beach, NC 28468 · last Mar 20, first Nov 17
- Calabash, NC 28467 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Longwood, NC 28452 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Supply, NC 28462 · last Mar 20, first Nov 17
- Little River, SC 29566 · last Mar 13, first Nov 20
- Ash, NC 28420 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 · last Mar 13, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ocean Isle Beach, NC?
- For ZIP code 28469, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shallotte Ag, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Ocean Isle Beach, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28469?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 243 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.