Atlantic Beach, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 3median date
First fall frostDec 13median date
Growing season285 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Atlantic Beach compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Atlantic Beach falls between February 9 and March 21, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 25 and January 9.
- The median last frost is 29 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 285-day growing season is among the longest of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 13 days earlier than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 27 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 61 km away, the last frost here is 20 days earlier than there and the growing season is 47 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 9 |
| 50% (median) | March 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 25 |
| 50% (median) | December 13 |
| 90% (late) | January 9 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Atlantic Beach, NC
Atlantic Beach, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 3, first frost Dec 13, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 9 to Dec 23Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 15
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Nov 22
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Plant for fall: Nov 29 to Jan 3Plant for fall: Nov 29 to Jan 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Atlantic Beach, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 3 – Mar 10 | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Kale | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Okra | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Basil | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 27 – Mar 10 | Nov 1 – Nov 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 29 – Jan 3 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Atlantic Beach Wtp, NC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 3 ft (1 m)).
Frost dates near Atlantic Beach
- Morehead City Mar 18 · Nov 21
- Beaufort Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Salter Path Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Newport Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Harkers Island Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Gloucester Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Smyrna Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Marshallberg Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Williston Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Havelock Mar 19 · Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Atlantic Beach, NC?
The median last spring frost in Atlantic Beach, NC is March 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Atlantic Beach, NC?
The median first fall frost is December 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 25.
How long is the growing season in Atlantic Beach, NC?
About 285 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Atlantic Beach, NC?
Atlantic Beach, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.