Frost dates for 28574Richlands, NC
The average last spring frost in Richlands is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 214 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 214 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (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 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 194 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 5 · Apr 20 | Oct 24 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 214 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 2 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richlands
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28574 is matched to the NOAA station Richlands, NC, 9.8 km away, at 20 ft elevation (65 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richlands, NC (used) | 20 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 4 |
| Jacksonville Eoc, NC | 17 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 8 |
| New River Mcaf, NC | 26 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| Hofmann Forest, NC | 47 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Richlands
- Chinquapin, NC 28521 · last Apr 1, first Nov 7
- Comfort, NC 28522 · last Apr 5, first Nov 4
- Jacksonville, NC 28540 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Beulaville, NC 28518 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Tarawa Terrace, NC 28543 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Pink Hill, NC 28572 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Camp Lejeune, NC 28542 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Maple Hill, NC 28454 · last Apr 1, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richlands, NC?
- For ZIP code 28574, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Richlands, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Richlands, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28574?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 214 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.