Frost dates for 28510Arapahoe, NC
The average last spring frost in Arapahoe is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 249 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 249 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 14 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 4 | Nov 5 · Nov 22 · Dec 12 | 249 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 3 · Mar 25 | Nov 16 · Dec 9 · Jan 5 | 279 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Arapahoe
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28510 is matched to the NOAA station Cherry Point Mcas, NC, 13.3 km away, at 29 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Point Mcas, NC (used) | 29 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 22 |
| Bayboro 3 Sw, NC | 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 |
Frost dates near Arapahoe
- Grantsboro, NC 28529 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Oriental, NC 28571 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Cherry Point, NC 28533 · last Mar 19, first Nov 22
- Havelock, NC 28532 · last Mar 19, first Nov 22
- Alliance, NC 28509 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Stonewall, NC 28583 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Bayboro, NC 28515 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Merritt, NC 28556 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Arapahoe, NC?
- For ZIP code 28510, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cherry Point Mcas, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Arapahoe, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28510?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 249 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.