Last spring frost
Mar 30
Frost Dates for Spring Lake, NC
First fall frost
Nov 10
Growing season
227 days
Hardiness zone
8a
In an average year around Spring Lake, NC, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Mar 30 and the first fall frost is about Nov 10, giving roughly a 227-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Mar 9 before setting out tender plants.
Last spring frost
Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.
| Frost intensity | Early (10%) | Average (50%) | Late (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (36°F) | Apr 27 | Apr 9 | Mar 23 |
| Freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 | Mar 30 | Mar 9 |
| Hard (28°F) | Apr 6 | Mar 16 | Feb 21 |
| Severe (24°F) | Mar 24 | Feb 28 | Jan 30 |
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
| °F | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 27 | Apr 20 | Apr 15 | Apr 12 | Apr 9 | Apr 6 | Apr 2 | Mar 30 | Mar 23 |
| 32°F | Apr 16 | Apr 9 | Apr 5 | Apr 2 | Mar 30 | Mar 26 | Mar 22 | Mar 17 | Mar 9 |
| 28°F | Apr 6 | Mar 31 | Mar 26 | Mar 20 | Mar 16 | Mar 11 | Mar 6 | Feb 28 | Feb 21 |
| 24°F | Mar 24 | Mar 14 | Mar 10 | Mar 4 | Feb 28 | Feb 23 | Feb 15 | Feb 7 | Jan 30 |
| 20°F | Mar 7 | Feb 28 | Feb 20 | Feb 10 | Feb 4 | Jan 31 | Jan 25 | Jan 17 | Jan 6 |
| 16°F | Feb 22 | Feb 9 | Feb 2 | Jan 29 | Jan 23 | Jan 18 | Jan 13 | Jan 6 | Dec 29 |
First fall frost
Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.
| Frost intensity | Early (10%) | Average (50%) | Late (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (36°F) | Oct 20 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 |
| Freeze (32°F) | Oct 28 | Nov 10 | Nov 29 |
| Hard (28°F) | Nov 4 | Nov 23 | Dec 17 |
| Severe (24°F) | Nov 16 | Dec 8 | Jan 10 |
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
| °F | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Oct 20 | Oct 24 | Oct 27 | Oct 30 | Nov 1 | Nov 3 | Nov 6 | Nov 10 | Nov 15 |
| 32°F | Oct 28 | Nov 1 | Nov 4 | Nov 7 | Nov 10 | Nov 13 | Nov 17 | Nov 22 | Nov 29 |
| 28°F | Nov 4 | Nov 10 | Nov 15 | Nov 19 | Nov 23 | Nov 28 | Dec 1 | Dec 6 | Dec 17 |
| 24°F | Nov 16 | Nov 24 | Dec 1 | Dec 4 | Dec 8 | Dec 14 | Dec 26 | Jan 1 | Jan 10 |
| 20°F | Dec 1 | Dec 7 | Dec 17 | Dec 26 | Jan 1 | Jan 4 | Jan 10 | Jan 16 | Jan 27 |
| 16°F | Dec 15 | Dec 27 | Jan 1 | Jan 5 | Jan 10 | Jan 15 | Jan 19 | Jan 26 | Feb 3 |
Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.
Where this data comes from
@endif These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Fayetteville (Pwc), Nc, about 11.8 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 96 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.
How we calculate these dates
Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Spring Lake, NC?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Spring Lake, NC is about Mar 30. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Mar 9.
When is the first frost in the fall?
The first fall frost around Spring Lake, NC typically arrives about Nov 10. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.
When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?
Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Mar 30 on average, or Mar 9 to be safe most years.
How long is the growing season here?
The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 227 days in a typical year.
Are these dates a forecast for this year?
No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.
Local weather for 28308 Planting calendar → North Carolina frost dates →
Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026