Hampstead, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 26median date
First fall frostNov 13median date
Growing season232 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Hampstead compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hampstead falls between March 11 and April 9, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 3.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 232-day growing season is longer than 84% 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 61 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Wilmington, NC, 29 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | March 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 13 |
| 90% (late) | December 3 |
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 Hampstead, NC
Hampstead, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 26, first frost Nov 13, 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 18 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
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 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
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 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Dec 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hampstead, 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 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| 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 21 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 19 – Apr 2 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| 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 21 – Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 30 – Dec 4 |
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 Surf City, NC weather station, 11 km away (elevation 23 ft (7 m)).
Frost dates near Hampstead
- Holly Ridge Mar 26 · Nov 13
- Wrightsville Beach Mar 19 · Nov 20
- Castle Hayne Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Rocky Point Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Wilmington Mar 20 · Nov 15
- Sneads Ferry Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Maple Hill Apr 1 · Nov 7
- Burgaw Apr 2 · Nov 5
- Leland Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Camp Lejeune Mar 23 · Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hampstead, NC?
The median last spring frost in Hampstead, 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 Hampstead, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Hampstead, NC?
About 232 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hampstead, NC?
Hampstead, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.