Frost dates for 28402 — Wilmington, NC
Last spring frostMar 29median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season224 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Wilmington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wilmington falls between March 12 and April 11, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 3 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 13 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 56 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 28402 — Wilmington, NC — last frost Mar 29, first frost Nov 8, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Transplant outside: Apr 12 to May 3
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wilmington, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Basil | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 29 |
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 7 N, NC weather station, 3 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 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
- Rocky Point Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Wrightsville Beach Mar 19 · Nov 20
- Leland Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Currie Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Hampstead Mar 26 · Nov 13
- Burgaw Apr 2 · Nov 5
- Winnabow Mar 20 · Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wilmington, NC?
The median last spring frost in Wilmington, NC is March 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, 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 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Wilmington, NC?
About 224 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.