Washington, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 22median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season238 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Washington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Washington falls between March 5 and April 7, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 238-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 47 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, NC, 21 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 12 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 5 |
| 50% (median) | March 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 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 Washington, NC
Washington, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 22, first frost Nov 15, zone 8b. 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 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
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 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
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 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Washington, 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 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| 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 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 29 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 22 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| 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 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
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 Washington Wwtp 4w, NC weather station, 7 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Washington
- Grimesland Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Simpson Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Chocowinity Mar 22 · Nov 15
- Stokes Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Greenville Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Winterville Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Williamston Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Everetts Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Ayden Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Robersonville Mar 20 · Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Washington, NC?
The median last spring frost in Washington, NC is March 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Washington, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Washington, NC?
About 238 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Washington, NC?
Washington, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.