Gloucester, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 10median date
First fall frostDec 1median date
Growing season266 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Gloucester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gloucester falls between February 18 and March 26, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 10 and December 24.
- The median last frost is 22 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 266-day growing season is longer than 96% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 7 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 28 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 80 km away, the last frost here is 13 days earlier than there and the growing season is 28 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 18 |
| 50% (median) | March 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 10 |
| 50% (median) | December 1 |
| 90% (late) | December 24 |
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 Gloucester, NC
Gloucester, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 10, first frost Dec 1, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 10
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Plant for fall: Nov 17 to Dec 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gloucester, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Feb 10 – Mar 17 | Oct 6 – Nov 3 |
| Kale | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Broccoli | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Okra | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Basil | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 27 – Feb 17 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 27 – Feb 17 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 3 – Mar 17 | Oct 20 – Nov 10 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | — | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | — | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 10 – Feb 17 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 24 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 17 – Dec 22 |
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 Beaufort Michael J Smith Fld, NC weather station, 11 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Gloucester
- Marshallberg Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Smyrna Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Harkers Island Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Williston Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Beaufort Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Davis Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Stacy Mar 11 · Nov 30
- Atlantic Beach Mar 3 · Dec 13
- Morehead City Mar 18 · Nov 21
- Sealevel Mar 11 · Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gloucester, NC?
The median last spring frost in Gloucester, NC is March 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gloucester, NC?
The median first fall frost is December 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 10.
How long is the growing season in Gloucester, NC?
About 266 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gloucester, NC?
Gloucester, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.