Sunbury, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 20median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season190 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Sunbury compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sunbury falls between April 2 and May 9, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 19 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 190-day growing season is longer than 13% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 22 days later 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 109 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Suffolk, VA, 39 km away, the last frost here is 24 days later than there and the growing season is 43 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Sunbury, NC
Sunbury, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 27, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Transplant outside: May 4 to May 25
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sunbury, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 23 – Apr 27 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Basil | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 27 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 4 – May 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Wallaceton-Lake Drummond, VA weather station, 24 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
Frost dates near Sunbury
- Hobbsville Apr 20 · Oct 27
- Corapeake Apr 20 · Oct 27
- Gatesville Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Belvidere Mar 27 · Nov 17
- Gates Apr 7 · Nov 2
- Roduco Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Tyner Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Eure Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Harrellsville Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Cofield Apr 6 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sunbury, NC?
The median last spring frost in Sunbury, NC is April 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sunbury, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Sunbury, NC?
About 190 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sunbury, NC?
Sunbury, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.