Sims, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 22median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season235 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Sims compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sims falls between March 3 and April 8, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 235-day growing season is longer than 86% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 60 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rocky Mount, NC, 33 km away, the last frost here is 9 days earlier than there and the growing season is 14 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 3 |
| 50% (median) | March 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | December 1 |
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 Sims, NC
Sims, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 22, first frost Nov 12, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sims, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 22 – Mar 29 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Basil | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 29 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| 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 Wilson 3 Sw, NC weather station, 14 km away (elevation 112 ft (34 m)).
Frost dates near Sims
- Bailey Mar 22 · Nov 12
- Middlesex Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Lucama Mar 22 · Nov 12
- Wilson Mar 22 · Nov 12
- Kenly Mar 22 · Nov 12
- Black Creek Mar 22 · Nov 12
- Spring Hope Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Elm City Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Micro Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Zebulon Mar 28 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sims, NC?
The median last spring frost in Sims, NC is March 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sims, 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 Sims, NC?
About 235 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sims, NC?
Sims, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.