Gaston, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season223 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Gaston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gaston falls between March 15 and April 16, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 28 and November 25.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 223-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 70 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rocky Mount, NC, 64 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 28 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 25 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Gaston, NC
Gaston, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 9, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gaston, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Roanoke Rapids, NC weather station, 3 km away (elevation 210 ft (64 m)).
Frost dates near Gaston
- Roanoke Rapids Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Garysburg Mar 31 · Nov 9
- Weldon Mar 31 · Nov 9
- Pleasant Hill Mar 31 · Nov 9
- Henrico Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Littleton Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Seaboard Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Halifax Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Jackson Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Margarettsville Apr 5 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gaston, NC?
The median last spring frost in Gaston, NC is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gaston, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Gaston, NC?
About 223 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gaston, NC?
Gaston, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.