Frost Dates for Dudley, NC 28333
Last spring frost March 31 · First fall frost October 30 · 213 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28333 has about 10,500 people.
Long season: 213 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 15–April 17 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 16–November 13 (28 days).
Frost probability for 28333
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 17 | March 31 | March 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 16 | October 30 | November 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CLINTON 2 NE (37.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 213-day season in Dudley
In Dudley (213 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 171 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 14. | Jun 30 |
| Pepper | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 14. | Jul 5 |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 255 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cucumber | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Peas | — | Feb 3–Apr 14 | 276 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 3. | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Onion | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 248 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3–Mar 24 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Kale | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 248 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 3. | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 262 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 3. | Aug 28 |
| Radish | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 30 | 318 | overwinter: Plant Oct 30 to Nov 20; harvest the following summer. | Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 24–Apr 21 | 269 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 7. | Jul 12 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 14. | Jun 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 227 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 24. | Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 262 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 3. | Jul 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 14. | Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 14. | Jul 10 |
| Okra | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Basil | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3–Mar 24 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Parsley | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 7. | Aug 14 |
| Celery | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 213 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 7. | Jun 25 |
| Scallions | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Collards | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 171 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 14. | Jun 25 |
| Chives | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 227 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Oregano | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 227 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Sage | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 227 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 227 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Cosmos | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Lavender | Jan 6 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Melons | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 171 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 14. | Jun 25 |
| Mint | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 192 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 7. | Jul 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 14. | Jun 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Mar 31. | Jul 24 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 7. | Jul 5 |
| Watermelon | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 7. | Jun 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Zinnias | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
Month by month in Dudley
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 6), Lavender (Jan 6), Onion (Jan 6), Rosemary (Jan 6), Celery (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), Sage (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 3), Beets (Feb 3), Dill (Feb 3), Peas (Feb 3), Radish (Feb 3), Spinach (Feb 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Cosmos (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 3), Turnip (Mar 3), Carrots (Mar 10), Potatoes (Mar 17), Sunflowers (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), +12 more. Last frost around March 31. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 7), Pole Beans (Apr 7). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 7), Chives (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 17), Pumpkin (Jun 17), Cantaloupe (Jun 25), Celery (Jun 25), Melons (Jun 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 27), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 5), Tomatillos (Jul 5), Eggplant (Jul 10), Corn (Jul 12), Sunflowers (Jul 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 29), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 3), Cosmos (Aug 3), Cucumber (Aug 3), Zinnias (Aug 3), Broccoli (Aug 4), Nasturtiums (Aug 8), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 3), Cilantro (Sep 3), Collards (Sep 7), Scallions (Sep 7), Bok Choy (Sep 8), Lettuce (Sep 8), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 30). First frost around October 30. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 20). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Dudley, NC (ZIP 28333)?
The median last spring frost date for Dudley, NC (ZIP code 28333) is around March 31. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 15; one in ten it runs past April 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Dudley, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Dudley, NC is around October 30. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Dudley, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Dudley is about 213 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Dudley (213 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Dudley, NC?
Dudley, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Dudley, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 24 and plant out Apr 14 in Dudley. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Dudley?
Two: plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6.
When do I plant garlic in Dudley?
Oct 30 to Nov 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Dudley?
Yes: plant out Apr 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 30 for a fall crop.
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