Frost dates for 28551La Grange, NC
The average last spring frost in La Grange 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 La Grange
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 28551 is matched to the NOAA station Kinston Ag Rsch, NC, 17.8 km away, at 60 ft elevation (19 ft lower 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 |
| Goldsboro 4 Se, NC | 109 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 18 |
| Snow Hill Waste Water Treament, NC | 41 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 12 |
| Kinston 7 Se, NC | 24 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near La Grange
- Kinston, NC 28504 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Goldsboro, NC 27534 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Snow Hill, NC 28580 · last Mar 26, first Nov 12
- Seven Springs, NC 28578 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Deep Run, NC 28525 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Albertson, NC 28508 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Dudley, NC 28333 · last Mar 15, first Nov 18
- Hookerton, NC 28538 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Grange, NC?
- For ZIP code 28551, 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 La Grange, 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 28551?
- 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.