Princeton, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season229 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Princeton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Princeton falls between March 9 and April 11, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and November 29.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 229-day growing season is longer than 77% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 60 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Raleigh, NC, 58 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 9 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | November 29 |
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 Princeton, NC
Princeton, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 12, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Princeton, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 28 – Apr 4 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 29 – Dec 3 |
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 Goldsboro Ag 1 N, NC weather station, 16 km away (elevation 108 ft (33 m)).
Frost dates near Princeton
- Pine Level Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Micro Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Selma Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Goldsboro Mar 15 · Nov 18
- Kenly Mar 22 · Nov 12
- Smithfield Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Pikeville Mar 28 · Nov 12
- Fremont Mar 28 · Nov 12
- Dudley Mar 15 · Nov 18
- Wilsons Mills Mar 28 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Princeton, NC?
The median last spring frost in Princeton, NC is March 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Princeton, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Princeton, NC?
About 229 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Princeton, NC?
Princeton, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.