Emerald Isle, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 26median date
First fall frostNov 16median date
Growing season235 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Emerald Isle compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Emerald Isle falls between March 5 and April 9, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 235-day growing season is longer than 86% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 53 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 36 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 3 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 5 |
| 50% (median) | March 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 16 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Emerald Isle, NC
Emerald Isle, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 26, first frost Nov 16, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Plant for fall: Nov 2 to Dec 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Emerald Isle, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 | Sep 21 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Okra | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Basil | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 19 – Apr 2 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 2 – Dec 7 |
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 Newport/Morehead City Wfo, NC weather station, 18 km away (elevation 30 ft (9 m)).
Frost dates near Emerald Isle
- Swansboro Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Salter Path Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Newport Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Stella Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Hubert Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Morehead City Mar 18 · Nov 21
- Atlantic Beach Mar 3 · Dec 13
- Midway Park Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Havelock Mar 19 · Nov 22
- Cherry Point Mar 19 · Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Emerald Isle, NC?
The median last spring frost in Emerald Isle, NC is March 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Emerald Isle, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Emerald Isle, NC?
About 235 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Emerald Isle, NC?
Emerald Isle, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.