Benson, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season224 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Benson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Benson falls between March 9 and April 11, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 224-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 67 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Raleigh, NC, 46 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 9 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
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 Benson, NC
Benson, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 7, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Benson, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 28 – Apr 4 | Sep 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Okra | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 28 |
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 Dunn 4 Nw, NC weather station, 16 km away (elevation 200 ft (61 m)).
Frost dates near Benson
- Coats Mar 28 · Nov 7
- Four Oaks Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Dunn Mar 28 · Nov 7
- Erwin Mar 28 · Nov 7
- Buies Creek Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Angier Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Willow Spring Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Smithfield Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Godwin Mar 28 · Nov 7
- Newton Grove Mar 26 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Benson, NC?
The median last spring frost in Benson, NC is March 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Benson, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Benson, NC?
About 224 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Benson, NC?
Benson, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.