Frost dates for 28546 — Jacksonville, NC
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season222 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Jacksonville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Jacksonville falls between March 13 and April 15, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 25.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 222-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 63 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Wilmington, NC, 79 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 13 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 25 |
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 Jacksonville, NC
Frost dates for 28546 — Jacksonville, NC — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 8, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Jacksonville, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| 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 Jacksonville Eoc, NC weather station, 3 km away (elevation 16 ft (5 m)).
ZIP codes in Jacksonville: 28540 28541 28546
Frost dates near Jacksonville
- Tarawa Terrace Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Midway Park Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Mccutcheon Field Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Camp Lejeune Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Maysville Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Hubert Mar 23 · Nov 16
- Richlands Apr 5 · Nov 4
- Stella Apr 6 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Jacksonville, NC?
The median last spring frost in Jacksonville, NC is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, NC?
About 222 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Jacksonville, NC?
Jacksonville, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.