Frost dates for 27802 — Rocky Mount, NC
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season221 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Rocky Mount compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rocky Mount falls between March 10 and April 13, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 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 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 Greenville, NC, 53 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 10 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 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 Rocky Mount, NC
Frost dates for 27802 — Rocky Mount, NC — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 7, 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 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 Rocky Mount, 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 Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC weather station, 10 km away (elevation 112 ft (34 m)).
ZIP codes in Rocky Mount: 27801 27802 27803 27804 27815
Frost dates near Rocky Mount
- Sharpsburg Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Battleboro Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Elm City Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Whitakers Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Nashville Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Red Oak Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Pinetops Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Tarboro Mar 30 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median last spring frost in Rocky Mount, NC is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Rocky Mount, NC?
About 221 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rocky Mount, NC?
Rocky Mount, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.