Swanquarter, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 18median date
First fall frostNov 25median date
Growing season252 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Swanquarter compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Swanquarter falls between February 27 and March 31, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 8 and December 13.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 252-day growing season is longer than 95% 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 34 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, NC, 100 km away, the last frost here is 9 days earlier than there and the growing season is 26 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 27 |
| 50% (median) | March 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 8 |
| 50% (median) | November 25 |
| 90% (late) | December 13 |
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 Swanquarter, NC
Swanquarter, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 18, first frost Nov 25, 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 30 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
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: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
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: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Plant for fall: Nov 11 to Dec 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Swanquarter, 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 30 – Oct 28 |
| Kale | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Broccoli | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| 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 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 25 | Oct 14 – Nov 4 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| 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 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 11 – Dec 16 |
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 Swanquarter Ferry, NC weather station, 5 km away (elevation 3 ft (1 m)).
Frost dates near Swanquarter
- Fairfield Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Scranton Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Engelhard Mar 29 · Nov 13
- Lowland Mar 8 · Dec 5
- Hobucken Mar 8 · Dec 5
- Belhaven Mar 8 · Dec 5
- Vandemere Mar 30 · Nov 8
- Pantego Mar 25 · Nov 11
- Bath Mar 8 · Dec 5
- Cedar Island Mar 11 · Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Swanquarter, NC?
The median last spring frost in Swanquarter, NC is March 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Swanquarter, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 8.
How long is the growing season in Swanquarter, NC?
About 252 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Swanquarter, NC?
Swanquarter, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.