Frost dates for 28531Harkers Island, NC
The average last spring frost in Harkers Island is March 10 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 265 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 10
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 265 days
Safer after Mar 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 28 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 6 · Mar 21 · Apr 6 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 4 | 239 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 10 · Mar 26 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Dec 24 | 265 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 23 · Mar 16 | Nov 25 · Dec 17 · Jan 13 | 296 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Harkers Island
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 7 – Apr 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – May 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Apr 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Apr 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28531 is matched to the NOAA station Beaufort Michael J Smith Fld, NC, 10.2 km away, at 11 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort Michael J Smith Fld, NC (used) | 11 ft | Mar 10 | Dec 1 |
| Atlantic Beach Wtp, NC | 4 ft | Mar 3 | Dec 13 |
| Morehead City 2 Wnw, NC | 10 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 21 |
| Newport/Morehead City Wfo, NC | 30 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Harkers Island
- Gloucester, NC 28528 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Marshallberg, NC 28553 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Smyrna, NC 28579 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Beaufort, NC 28516 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Williston, NC 28589 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Davis, NC 28524 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 · last Mar 18, first Nov 21
- Morehead City, NC 28557 · last Mar 18, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Harkers Island, NC?
- For ZIP code 28531, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Beaufort Michael J Smith Fld, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 26.
- When is the first frost in Harkers Island, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28531?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 265 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.