When is the last frost in Rocky Mount, NC?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Rocky Mount is around March 31, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC station (2.9 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Rocky Mount?

The average first fall frost in Rocky Mount, NC is around November 7, giving roughly a 223-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Rocky Mount, NC?

Rocky Mount is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 10 to 15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Rocky Mount?

In Rocky Mount, NC the warmest month is July (avg high 88.4°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 30.6°F). It averages about 48.6″ of precipitation a year and 2.8″ of snow.

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Rocky Mount, NC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 27801 · elevation 34′ · NOAA & USDA data

Rocky Mount is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 223 days between the average last spring frost (March 31) and first fall frost (November 7). The warmest month is July (avg high 88.4°F); the coldest is January (avg low 30.6°F). It averages 48.6″ of precipitation a year and 2.8″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 10 to 15°F

Last spring frost

March 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 7

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

223 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 88.4°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Rocky Mount

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC (2.9 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	50.3	30.6	40.5	3.2	1.9
February	53.6	31.7	42.6	3	0.3
March	60.9	38.1	49.5	3.9	0.2
April	71.2	47.3	59.3	3.5	0
May	78	57	67.5	3.6	0
June	85.3	65.4	75.4	4.8	0
July	88.4	69.3	78.9	5.1	0
August	85.3	67.4	76.3	5.3	0
September	81.3	62.2	71.7	6.2	0
October	72.2	49.7	61	3.6	0
November	64.7	38.8	51.7	3.2	0
December	55	33.7	44.3	3.2	0.4

What to plant when in Rocky Mount

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 17 · Transplant out: April 7
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 3 · Transplant out: April 14
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 7
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 24 · Sow (fall): September 12
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 17 · Sow (fall): September 12
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 12
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): August 29
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): August 29
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 26

Dates are computed from Rocky Mount's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in North Carolina

Wilson, NC Greenville, NC Raleigh, NC Cary, NC Durham, NC Apex, NC Chapel Hill, NC Jacksonville, NC

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC, 2.9 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC, 2.9 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.