Frost dates for 28523Cove City, NC
The average last spring frost in Cove City is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 30 · Apr 12 · Apr 24 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 20 · Apr 7 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 6 | 240 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cove City
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 | Mar 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28523 is matched to the NOAA station Kinston 7 Se, NC, 22.5 km away, at 24 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinston 7 Se, NC (used) | 24 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
| Perrytown, NC | 28 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 20 |
| New Bern Craven Co Ap, NC | 19 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 15 |
| Kinston Ag Rsch, NC | 60 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Cove City
- Dover, NC 28526 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Vanceboro, NC 28586 · last Mar 20, first Nov 20
- Trenton, NC 28585 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- New Bern, NC 28562 · last Mar 20, first Nov 20
- Pollocksville, NC 28573 · last Mar 20, first Nov 20
- Grifton, NC 28530 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Ernul, NC 28527 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Bridgeton, NC 28519 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cove City, NC?
- For ZIP code 28523, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kinston 7 Se, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Cove City, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28523?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.