Frost dates for ZIP 27605 (Raleigh, NC)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Raleigh State Univ, NC (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)229 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8a10 to 15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
67°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Durham 11 W (27 mi).
4-inch depth
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 66°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Durham 11 W (27 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 27605 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 69°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about May 13 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 8: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 8 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 28 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 12 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 28 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 8 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 27 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 7 | Oct 31 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 14 | Nov 23 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 27605
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 8). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 17–31 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 17–31 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Mar 7–28 (transplant) Feb 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 14–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Feb 28–Mar 28 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 17–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 17–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17–31 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 3–17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 28–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 28–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 14–28 | Mar 14–Apr 4 (transplant) Mar 14–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 28–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 7–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 28–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 3–17 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 14–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 3–17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 18–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) Apr 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) Apr 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 14–28 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) Apr 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 3–17 | Apr 4–11 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 14–28 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 14–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 17–31 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Raleigh State Univ, NC (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00317079), elevation 400 ft, 2.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh 4 SW, NC | 5 mi | Mar 28 | Nov 9 |
| Garner, NC | 8 mi | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| Cary, NC | 9 mi | Mar 31 | Nov 10 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 4 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 27605
When is the last frost in 27605?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 27605 is March 28. For a more cautious planting date, use April 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 27605?
The average first fall freeze is November 8. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 28.
What hardiness zone is 27605?
ZIP 27605 is in USDA zone 8a (10 to 15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 27605 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
27695 Raleigh 27608 Raleigh 27601 Raleigh 27697 Raleigh 27609 Raleigh 27607 Raleigh 27606 Raleigh 27612 Raleigh
Other ZIP codes in Wake County
27502 27511 27513 27518 27519 27529 27539 27540 27545 27560 27571 27587 27591 27592 27597 27601 27603 27604 27606 27607 27608 27609 27610 27612 All Wake County frost dates · North Carolina frost dates
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