Tarboro, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 30median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season224 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Tarboro compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tarboro falls between March 12 and April 10, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and November 28.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 224-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 70 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rocky Mount, NC, 24 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 28 |
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 Tarboro, NC
Tarboro, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 30, first frost Nov 9, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Transplant outside: Apr 13 to May 4
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tarboro, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 2 – Apr 6 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Basil | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Tarboro 1 S, NC weather station, 2 km away (elevation 36 ft (11 m)).
Frost dates near Tarboro
- Speed Mar 30 · Nov 9
- Conetoe Mar 30 · Nov 9
- Pinetops Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Battleboro Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Bethel Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Macclesfield Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Hobgood Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Parmele Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Falkland Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Oak City Mar 29 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tarboro, NC?
The median last spring frost in Tarboro, NC is March 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tarboro, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Tarboro, NC?
About 224 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tarboro, NC?
Tarboro, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.