Last frost date in Salisbury, NC

Average last frost

April 6

In Salisbury, the last spring frost comes around April 6 in an average year. Wait until April 27 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 30, which leaves 208 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 19 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): Apr 27
Average first frost: Oct 30
Frost-free season: 208 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Mar 25

Next 7 nights in Salisbury

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

ThuOct 2240°
FriOct 2342°
SatOct 2440°
SunOct 2541°
MonOct 2641°
TueOct 2745°
WedOct 2846°

Frost risk through the year at Salisbury, 1.3 miles from Salisbury.

Planting calendar for Salisbury

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 13–Apr 27

PumpkinsApr 20–May 4

SunflowersApr 6–Apr 27

CucumbersApr 20–Apr 27

CornApr 13–Apr 27

Sweet potatoesApr 27–May 11

WatermelonApr 20–May 4

Green beansApr 13–May 4

ZucchiniApr 13–Apr 27

OkraApr 27–May 11

PeppersApr 20–May 4

BasilApr 13–Apr 27

Butternut squashApr 13–Apr 27

CantaloupeApr 20–May 4

EggplantApr 20–May 4

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesMar 9–Mar 23

OnionsFeb 23–Mar 16

CarrotsMar 16–Apr 20

LettuceMar 23–Apr 13

BroccoliMar 9–Mar 23

BeetsMar 9–Apr 20

PeasFeb 23–Mar 9

CabbageMar 9–Mar 23

RadishesMar 2–Apr 13

Brussels sproutsMar 23–Apr 6

SpinachFeb 23–Mar 16

CilantroMar 23–Apr 13

KaleMar 9–Mar 23

Collard greensMar 9–Mar 23

TurnipsMar 9–Mar 23

DillApr 6–Apr 20

CeleryApr 13–Apr 20

CauliflowerMar 23–Apr 6

LeeksMar 23–Apr 6

Swiss chardMar 23–Apr 20

ParsleyMar 23–Apr 13

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsOct 16–Nov 20

GarlicOct 9–Nov 13

Daffodil bulbsOct 2–Nov 13

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesMar 9–Mar 23

AsparagusMar 9–Mar 23

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Mar 21	Apr 6	Apr 27	Oct 19	Oct 30	Nov 10
Hard freeze, 28°F	Mar 7	Mar 25	Apr 10	Oct 27	Nov 8	Nov 23

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 Salisbury (USC00317615) sits 1.3 miles from the center of Salisbury at 700 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 Salisbury, NC?

The average last frost date in Salisbury is April 6, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 27.

When is the first frost in Salisbury?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 30. One year in ten it arrives before October 19.

How long is the growing season in Salisbury?

About 208 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Salisbury?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 13 to April 27. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Carolina

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