Morehead City, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 18median date
First fall frostNov 21median date
Growing season248 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Morehead City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Morehead City falls between February 26 and April 5, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 12.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 248-day growing season is longer than 94% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 36 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 60 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 26 |
| 50% (median) | March 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 21 |
| 90% (late) | December 12 |
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 Morehead City, NC
Morehead City, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 18, first frost Nov 21, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Dec 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Morehead City, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 18 – Mar 25 | Sep 26 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Okra | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Basil | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 25 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 7 – Dec 12 |
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 Morehead City 2 Wnw, NC weather station, 2 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Morehead City
- Atlantic Beach Mar 3 · Dec 13
- Beaufort Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Salter Path Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Newport Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Harkers Island Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Gloucester Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Smyrna Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Marshallberg Mar 10 · Dec 1
- Havelock Mar 19 · Nov 22
- Williston Mar 10 · Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Morehead City, NC?
The median last spring frost in Morehead City, NC is March 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Morehead City, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Morehead City, NC?
About 248 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Morehead City, NC?
Morehead City, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.