Last frost date in Rocky Mount, NC

Average last frost
March 31

The average last frost in Rocky Mount is March 31. By April 13 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 7, which leaves 223 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 26 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 13
Average first frost
Nov 7
Frost-free season
223 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 18
Next 7 nights in Rocky Mount

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 2446°
  4. SunOct 2545°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2751°
  7. WedOct 2853°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 31First frost Nov 7223 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND223 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Rocky Mount 8 ESE, 8.8 miles from Rocky Mount.

Planting calendar for Rocky Mount

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 7–Apr 21
PumpkinsApr 14–Apr 28
SunflowersMar 31–Apr 21
CucumbersApr 14–Apr 21
CornApr 7–Apr 21
Sweet potatoesApr 21–May 5
WatermelonApr 14–Apr 28
Green beansApr 7–Apr 28
ZucchiniApr 7–Apr 21
OkraApr 21–May 5
PeppersApr 14–Apr 28
BasilApr 7–Apr 21
Butternut squashApr 7–Apr 21
CantaloupeApr 14–Apr 28
EggplantApr 14–Apr 28
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 3–Mar 17
OnionsFeb 17–Mar 10
CarrotsMar 10–Apr 14
LettuceMar 17–Apr 7
BroccoliMar 3–Mar 17
BeetsMar 3–Apr 14
PeasFeb 17–Mar 3
CabbageMar 3–Mar 17
RadishesFeb 24–Apr 7
Brussels sproutsMar 17–Mar 31
SpinachFeb 17–Mar 10
CilantroMar 17–Apr 7
KaleMar 3–Mar 17
Collard greensMar 3–Mar 17
TurnipsMar 3–Mar 17
DillMar 31–Apr 14
CeleryApr 7–Apr 14
CauliflowerMar 17–Mar 31
LeeksMar 17–Mar 31
Swiss chardMar 17–Apr 14
ParsleyMar 17–Apr 7
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 24–Nov 28
GarlicOct 17–Nov 21
Daffodil bulbsOct 10–Nov 21
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 3–Mar 17
AsparagusMar 3–Mar 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 10Mar 31Apr 13Oct 26Nov 7Nov 23
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 26Mar 18Apr 4Nov 3Nov 17Dec 5

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 Rocky Mount 8 ESE (USC00317400) sits 8.8 miles from the center of Rocky Mount at 110 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 Rocky Mount, NC?

The average last frost date in Rocky Mount is March 31, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 13.

When is the first frost in Rocky Mount?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 7. One year in ten it arrives before October 26.

How long is the growing season in Rocky Mount?

About 223 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Rocky Mount?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 7 to April 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Carolina

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