Frost dates for 28509Alliance, NC
The average last spring frost in Alliance is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 224 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 224 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 25 · Apr 11 · Apr 25 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 201 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 30 · Apr 15 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 30 | 224 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 17 · Apr 4 | Nov 3 · Nov 20 · Dec 20 | 251 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alliance
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 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28509 is matched to the NOAA station Bayboro 3 Sw, NC, 2 km away, at 5 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayboro 3 Sw, NC (used) | 5 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
| Reelsboro, NC | 45 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 17 |
| New Bern Craven Co Ap, NC | 19 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 15 |
| Aurora 6 N, NC | 20 ft | Mar 8 | Dec 5 |
Frost dates near Alliance
- Bayboro, NC 28515 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Stonewall, NC 28583 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Grantsboro, NC 28529 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Merritt, NC 28556 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Vandemere, NC 28587 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Oriental, NC 28571 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Arapahoe, NC 28510 · last Mar 19, first Nov 22
- New Bern, NC 28560 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alliance, NC?
- For ZIP code 28509, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bayboro 3 Sw, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Alliance, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. 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 28509?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 224 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.