Shallotte, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 20median date
First fall frostNov 17median date
Growing season242 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Shallotte compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Shallotte falls between February 28 and April 4, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 242-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 37 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Wilmington, NC, 56 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 17 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
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 Shallotte, NC
Shallotte, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 17, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Plant for fall: Nov 3 to Dec 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Shallotte, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 20 – Mar 27 | Sep 22 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Okra | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Basil | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 27 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 3 – Dec 8 |
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 Shallotte Ag, NC weather station, 3 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
ZIP codes in Shallotte: 28459 28470
Frost dates near Shallotte
- Ocean Isle Beach Mar 20 · Nov 17
- Sunset Beach Mar 20 · Nov 17
- Supply Mar 20 · Nov 17
- Longwood Mar 26 · Nov 11
- Ash Mar 26 · Nov 11
- Calabash Mar 26 · Nov 11
- Bolivia Mar 24 · Nov 17
- Oak Island Mar 24 · Nov 17
- Nakina Mar 26 · Nov 11
- Southport Mar 24 · Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Shallotte, NC?
The median last spring frost in Shallotte, NC is March 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Shallotte, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Shallotte, NC?
About 242 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Shallotte, NC?
Shallotte, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.