Frost dates for 28406 — Wilmington, NC
Last spring frostMar 20median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season240 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Wilmington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wilmington falls between February 28 and April 8, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 240-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 41 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC
Frost dates for 28406 — Wilmington, NC — last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 15, zone 8b. 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 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
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 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
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 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
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 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 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| 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 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 27 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| 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 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| 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 Wilmington 7 Se, NC weather station, 7 km away (elevation 30 ft (9 m)).
ZIP codes in Wilmington: 28401 28402 28403 28404 28405 28406 28407 28408 28409 28410 28411 28412
Frost dates near Wilmington
- Carolina Beach Mar 24 · Nov 17
- Kure Beach Mar 24 · Nov 17
- Wrightsville Beach Mar 19 · Nov 20
- Winnabow Mar 20 · Nov 15
- Southport Mar 24 · Nov 17
- Castle Hayne Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Leland Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Bolivia Mar 24 · Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wilmington, NC?
The median last spring frost in Wilmington, NC is March 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, 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 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Wilmington, NC?
About 240 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.