Frost dates for 28502Kinston, NC
The average last spring frost in Kinston is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 232 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 232 days
Safer after Apr 7 (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 23 · Apr 5 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 25 · Apr 7 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Dec 2 | 232 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 13 · Mar 30 | Nov 6 · Nov 26 · Dec 22 | 258 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kinston
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 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28502 is matched to the NOAA station Kinston Ag Rsch, NC, 4 km away, at 60 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinston Ag Rsch, NC (used) | 60 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
| Kinston 7 Se, NC | 24 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
| Snow Hill Waste Water Treament, NC | 41 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 12 |
| Goldsboro 4 Se, NC | 109 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Kinston
- Kinston, NC 28501 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Deep Run, NC 28525 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- La Grange, NC 28551 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Grifton, NC 28530 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Hookerton, NC 28538 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Dover, NC 28526 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Snow Hill, NC 28580 · last Mar 26, first Nov 12
- Trenton, NC 28585 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kinston, NC?
- For ZIP code 28502, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kinston Ag Rsch, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Kinston, 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 28502?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 232 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.