Frost dates for 28401 — Wilmington, NC
Last spring frostMar 19median date
First fall frostNov 20median date
Growing season246 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Wilmington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wilmington falls between February 26 and April 4, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 246-day growing season is longer than 94% 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 37 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 26 |
| 50% (median) | March 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 20 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
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 Wilmington, NC
Frost dates for 28401 — Wilmington, NC — last frost Mar 19, first frost Nov 20, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Plant for fall: Nov 6 to Dec 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wilmington, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Okra | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Basil | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 26 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 6 – Dec 11 |
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 Wilmington Intl Ap, NC weather station, 6 km away (elevation 33 ft (10 m)).
ZIP codes in Wilmington: 28401 28402 28403 28404 28405 28406 28407 28408 28409 28410 28411 28412
Frost dates near Wilmington
- Castle Hayne Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Leland Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Winnabow Mar 20 · Nov 15
- Wrightsville Beach Mar 19 · Nov 20
- Carolina Beach Mar 24 · Nov 17
- Rocky Point Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Kure Beach Mar 24 · Nov 17
- Currie Mar 27 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wilmington, NC?
The median last spring frost in Wilmington, NC is March 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Wilmington, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Wilmington, NC?
About 246 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wilmington, NC?
Wilmington, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.