Windsor, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 20median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season237 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Windsor compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Windsor falls between March 1 and April 5, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 237-day growing season is longer than 89% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 9 days earlier 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 53 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, NC, 62 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 11 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 1 |
| 50% (median) | March 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | December 4 |
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 Windsor, NC
Windsor, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 12, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Windsor, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 20 – Mar 27 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Basil | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 27 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 29 – Dec 3 |
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 Williamston 1 E, NC weather station, 20 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
Frost dates near Windsor
- Merry Hill Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Colerain Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Lewiston Woodville Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Aulander Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Powellsville Mar 29 · Nov 7
- Plymouth Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Jamesville Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Hamilton Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Williamston Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Edenton Mar 24 · Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Windsor, NC?
The median last spring frost in Windsor, NC is March 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Windsor, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Windsor, NC?
About 237 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Windsor, NC?
Windsor, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.