Frost dates for 28582Stella, NC
The average last spring frost in Stella is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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) | Apr 4 · Apr 22 · May 10 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 27 · Apr 12 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Dec 1 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stella
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28582 is matched to the NOAA station Hofmann Forest, NC, 17 km away, at 47 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hofmann Forest, NC (used) | 47 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Newport/Morehead City Wfo, NC | 30 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 16 |
| New River Mcaf, NC | 26 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 16 |
| Jacksonville Eoc, NC | 17 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Stella
- Swansboro, NC 28584 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Hubert, NC 28539 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Maysville, NC 28555 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Emerald Isle, NC 28594 · last Mar 18, first Nov 21
- Midway Park, NC 28544 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Newport, NC 28570 · last Mar 19, first Nov 22
- Jacksonville, NC 28546 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
- Camp Lejeune, NC 28547 · last Mar 23, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stella, NC?
- For ZIP code 28582, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hofmann Forest, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Stella, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28582?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.