Roper, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season221 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Roper compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Roper falls between March 14 and April 15, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 221-day growing season is longer than 59% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 15 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 52 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, NC, 80 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 14 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
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 Roper, NC
Roper, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 7, zone 8b. 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 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
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 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
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 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Roper, 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 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| 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 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| 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 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 28 |
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 Plymouth 5 E, NC weather station, 8 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
Frost dates near Roper
- Creswell Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Plymouth Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Edenton Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Merry Hill Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Columbia Mar 29 · Nov 13
- Jamesville Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Pantego Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Windsor Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Hertford Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Winfall Mar 24 · Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Roper, NC?
The median last spring frost in Roper, NC is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Roper, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Roper, NC?
About 221 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Roper, NC?
Roper, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.