Frost dates for 27804 — Rocky Mount, NC
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season218 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 16 and April 16, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 19.
- The median last frost is the same as the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 218-day growing season is longer than 48% 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 69 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, NC, 61 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 27804 — Rocky Mount, NC — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 5, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
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 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Wilson Ap, NC weather station, 16 km away (elevation 161 ft (49 m)).
ZIP codes in Rocky Mount: 27801 27802 27803 27804 27815
Frost dates near Rocky Mount
- Red Oak Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Nashville Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Battleboro Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Sharpsburg Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Whitakers Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Elm City Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Castalia Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Spring Hope Apr 1 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rocky Mount, NC?
The median last spring frost in Rocky Mount, NC is April 1. 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 Rocky Mount, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Rocky Mount, NC?
About 218 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.