Atlantic, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 11median date
First fall frostNov 30median date
Growing season264 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Atlantic compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Atlantic falls between February 19 and March 30, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 11 and December 20.
- The median last frost is 21 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 264-day growing season is longer than 95% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 34 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 98 km away, the last frost here is 12 days earlier than there and the growing season is 26 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 19 |
| 50% (median) | March 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 11 |
| 50% (median) | November 30 |
| 90% (late) | December 20 |
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, NC
Atlantic, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 11, first frost Nov 30, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 2
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 9
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Plant for fall: Nov 16 to Dec 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Atlantic, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 11 – Mar 18 | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Kale | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Okra | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Basil | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 19 – Nov 9 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 16 – Dec 21 |
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 Cedar Is, NC weather station, 12 km away (elevation 7 ft (2 m)).
Frost dates near Atlantic
- Sealevel Mar 11 · Nov 30
- Stacy Mar 11 · Nov 30
- Cedar Island Mar 11 · Nov 30
- Davis Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Williston Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Smyrna Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Marshallberg Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Gloucester Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Harkers Island Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Beaufort Mar 10 · Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Atlantic, NC?
The median last spring frost in Atlantic, NC is March 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Atlantic, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 11.
How long is the growing season in Atlantic, NC?
About 264 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Atlantic, NC?
Atlantic, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.