Frost dates for 28560 — New Bern, NC
Last spring frostMar 21median date
First fall frostNov 17median date
Growing season241 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How New Bern compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in New Bern falls between March 4 and April 5, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 241-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 5 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 37 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 58 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 17 |
| 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 New Bern, NC
Frost dates for 28560 — New Bern, NC — last frost Mar 21, first frost Nov 17, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Plant for fall: Nov 3 to Dec 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in New Bern, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 21 – Mar 28 | Sep 22 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Okra | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Basil | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 28 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 3 – Dec 8 |
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 Reelsboro, NC weather station, 6 km away (elevation 46 ft (14 m)).
ZIP codes in New Bern: 28560 28561 28562 28563 28564
Frost dates near New Bern
- Bridgeton Mar 23 · Nov 15
- Grantsboro Mar 21 · Nov 17
- Ernul Mar 21 · Nov 17
- Alliance Mar 30 · Nov 8
- Arapahoe Mar 19 · Nov 22
- Bayboro Mar 30 · Nov 8
- Stonewall Mar 30 · Nov 8
- Edward Mar 8 · Dec 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Bern, NC?
The median last spring frost in New Bern, NC is March 21. 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 New Bern, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in New Bern, NC?
About 241 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is New Bern, NC?
New Bern, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.