Frost Dates for La Grange, NC 28551
Last spring frost March 30 · First fall frost November 2 · 217 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28551 has about 14,100 people.
Long season: 217 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 13–April 15 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 16–November 19 (34 days).
Frost probability for 28551
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | March 30 | March 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 16 | November 2 | November 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at KINSTON AG RSCH (19.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 217-day season in La Grange
In La Grange (217 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 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 13. | Jul 3 |
| Pepper | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 13. | Jul 8 |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 259 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 9. | Aug 31 |
| Cucumber | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Peas | — | Feb 2–Apr 13 | 280 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 2. | Aug 22 |
| Zucchini | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Onion | Jan 5 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 2–Mar 23 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Kale | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 252 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 2. | Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 2. | Aug 31 |
| Radish | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 2 | 322 | overwinter: Plant Nov 2 to Nov 23; harvest the following summer. | Nov 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 23–Apr 20 | 273 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 15 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jun 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 23. | Aug 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 16 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 266 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 2. | Aug 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 13. | Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Basil | Feb 23 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 2–Mar 23 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Parsley | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 6. | Aug 17 |
| Celery | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 217 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 6. | Jun 28 |
| Scallions | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 2 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Collards | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 175 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 13. | Jun 28 |
| Chives | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Oregano | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Sage | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Cosmos | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Lavender | Jan 5 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Melons | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 175 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 13. | Jun 28 |
| Mint | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 196 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 6. | Aug 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jun 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 30. | Jul 27 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 6. | Jul 8 |
| Watermelon | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 6. | Jul 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
Month by month in La Grange
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 5), Lavender (Jan 5), Onion (Jan 5), Rosemary (Jan 5), Celery (Jan 19), Collards (Jan 19), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 2), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 2), Cabbage (Feb 2), Lettuce (Feb 2), Sage (Feb 2), Swiss Chard (Feb 2), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 2), Beets (Feb 2), Dill (Feb 2), Peas (Feb 2), Radish (Feb 2), Spinach (Feb 2), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 2), Corn (Mar 2), Cosmos (Mar 2), Nasturtiums (Mar 2), Okra (Mar 2), Zinnias (Mar 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 2), Turnip (Mar 2), Carrots (Mar 9), Potatoes (Mar 16), Sunflowers (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), +12 more. Last frost around March 30. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 6), Pole Beans (Apr 6). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 6), Chives (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Oregano (Apr 6), Parsley (Apr 6), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 20), Pumpkin (Jun 20), Cantaloupe (Jun 28), Celery (Jun 28), Melons (Jun 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 3), Watermelon (Jul 3), Pepper (Jul 8), Tomatillos (Jul 8), Eggplant (Jul 13), Corn (Jul 15), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 1), Pole Beans (Aug 1), Basil (Aug 6), Cosmos (Aug 6), Cucumber (Aug 6), Zinnias (Aug 6), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Beets (Sep 1), Dill (Sep 1), Swiss Chard (Sep 1), Calendula (Sep 6), Cilantro (Sep 6), Collards (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Radish (Oct 1). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 2). First frost around November 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 23). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for La Grange, NC (ZIP 28551)?
The median last spring frost date for La Grange, NC (ZIP code 28551) is around March 30. 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 13; one in ten it runs past April 15.
What is the first fall frost date in La Grange, NC?
The median first fall frost date for La Grange, NC is around November 2. 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 La Grange, NC?
The frost-free growing season in La Grange is about 217 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 La Grange (217 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 La Grange, NC?
La Grange, 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 La Grange, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 23 and plant out Apr 13 in La Grange. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in La Grange?
Two: plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9.
When do I plant garlic in La Grange?
Nov 2 to Nov 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in La Grange?
Yes: plant out Apr 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 3 for a fall crop.
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