Dover, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season217 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Dover compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dover falls between March 16 and April 15, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 22 and November 20.
- The median last frost is the same as the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 217-day growing season is longer than 46% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 16 days later 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 66 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, NC, 37 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 9 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 22 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Dover, NC
Dover, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 4, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dover, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Kinston 7 Se, NC weather station, 17 km away (elevation 23 ft (7 m)).
Frost dates near Dover
- Cove City Apr 1 · Nov 4
- Grifton Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Vanceboro Mar 23 · Nov 15
- Trenton Apr 1 · Nov 4
- Kinston Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Ayden Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Hookerton Mar 26 · Nov 12
- Ernul Mar 21 · Nov 17
- Pollocksville Mar 20 · Nov 20
- Winterville Mar 27 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dover, NC?
The median last spring frost in Dover, NC is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dover, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 22.
How long is the growing season in Dover, NC?
About 217 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dover, NC?
Dover, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.