Last frost date in Knightdale, NC

Average last frost
April 7

Expect the last frost in Knightdale around April 7. Frost after April 20 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 3, which leaves 211 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 22 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 20
Average first frost
Nov 3
Frost-free season
211 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 27
Next 7 nights in Knightdale

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2241°
  2. FriOct 2345°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2543°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2850°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 7First frost Nov 3211 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND211 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Clayton Water Plant, 10.6 miles from Knightdale.

Planting calendar for Knightdale

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across North Carolina.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 14–Apr 28
PumpkinsApr 21–May 5
SunflowersApr 7–Apr 28
CucumbersApr 21–Apr 28
CornApr 14–Apr 28
Sweet potatoesApr 28–May 12
WatermelonApr 21–May 5
Green beansApr 14–May 5
ZucchiniApr 14–Apr 28
OkraApr 28–May 12
PeppersApr 21–May 5
BasilApr 14–Apr 28
Butternut squashApr 14–Apr 28
CantaloupeApr 21–May 5
EggplantApr 21–May 5
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 10–Mar 24
OnionsFeb 24–Mar 17
CarrotsMar 17–Apr 21
LettuceMar 24–Apr 14
BroccoliMar 10–Mar 24
BeetsMar 10–Apr 21
PeasFeb 24–Mar 10
CabbageMar 10–Mar 24
RadishesMar 3–Apr 14
Brussels sproutsMar 24–Apr 7
SpinachFeb 24–Mar 17
CilantroMar 24–Apr 14
KaleMar 10–Mar 24
Collard greensMar 10–Mar 24
TurnipsMar 10–Mar 24
DillApr 7–Apr 21
CeleryApr 14–Apr 21
CauliflowerMar 24–Apr 7
LeeksMar 24–Apr 7
Swiss chardMar 24–Apr 21
ParsleyMar 24–Apr 14
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 20–Nov 24
GarlicOct 13–Nov 17
Daffodil bulbsOct 6–Nov 17
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 10–Mar 24
AsparagusMar 10–Mar 24

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 23Apr 7Apr 20Oct 22Nov 3Nov 16
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 7Mar 27Apr 12Nov 1Nov 14Dec 1

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Clayton Water Plant (USC00311820) sits 10.6 miles from the center of Knightdale at 300 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Knightdale, NC?

The average last frost date in Knightdale is April 7, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 20.

When is the first frost in Knightdale?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 3. One year in ten it arrives before October 22.

How long is the growing season in Knightdale?

About 211 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Knightdale?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 14 to April 28. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Carolina

All 52 cities in North Carolina