Kitty Hawk, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 15median date
First fall frostDec 6median date
Growing season266 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Kitty Hawk compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Kitty Hawk falls between February 23 and March 30, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 19 and December 27.
- The median last frost is 17 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 12 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 Virginia Beach, VA, 89 km away, the last frost here is 14 days earlier than there and the growing season is 38 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 23 |
| 50% (median) | March 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 19 |
| 50% (median) | December 6 |
| 90% (late) | December 27 |
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 Kitty Hawk, NC
Kitty Hawk, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 15, first frost Dec 6, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 8
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 15
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Plant for fall: Nov 22 to Dec 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Kitty Hawk, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 15 – Mar 22 | Oct 11 – Nov 8 |
| Kale | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Broccoli | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cabbage | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Okra | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Basil | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 1 – Feb 22 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 1 – Feb 22 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 22 | Oct 25 – Nov 15 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Sep 27 – Oct 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Oct 11 – Nov 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 22 – Dec 27 |
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 Manteo Ap, NC weather station, 16 km away (elevation 13 ft (4 m)).
Frost dates near Kitty Hawk
- Kill Devil Hills Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Point Harbor Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Harbinger Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Powells Point Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Jarvisburg Mar 28 · Nov 12
- Manteo Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Nags Head Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Wanchese Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Grandy Mar 28 · Nov 12
- Poplar Branch Mar 28 · Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kitty Hawk, NC?
The median last spring frost in Kitty Hawk, NC is March 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Kitty Hawk, NC?
The median first fall frost is December 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 19.
How long is the growing season in Kitty Hawk, NC?
About 266 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Kitty Hawk, NC?
Kitty Hawk, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.