Swansboro, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season209 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Swansboro compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Swansboro falls between March 23 and April 23, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 14.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 209-day growing season is longer than 33% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 21 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 66 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 26 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 29 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 23 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 14 |
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 Swansboro, NC
Swansboro, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 6, first frost Nov 1, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Swansboro, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Hofmann Forest, NC weather station, 22 km away (elevation 46 ft (14 m)).
Frost dates near Swansboro
- Hubert Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Stella Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Emerald Isle Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Midway Park Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Maysville Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Newport Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Salter Path Mar 26 · Nov 16
- Tarawa Terrace Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Mccutcheon Field Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Camp Lejeune Mar 23 · Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Swansboro, NC?
The median last spring frost in Swansboro, NC is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Swansboro, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Swansboro, NC?
About 209 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Swansboro, NC?
Swansboro, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.