Frost dates for 28561 — New Bern, NC
Last spring frostMar 23median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season237 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 6 and April 7, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 237-day growing season is longer than 89% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 47 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 51 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 6 |
| 50% (median) | March 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 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 New Bern, NC
Frost dates for 28561 — New Bern, NC — last frost Mar 23, first frost Nov 15, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
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 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Feb 23 – Mar 30 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Basil | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 30 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| 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 New Bern Craven Co Ap, NC weather station, 5 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
ZIP codes in New Bern: 28560 28561 28562 28563 28564
Frost dates near New Bern
- Bridgeton Mar 23 · Nov 15
- Ernul Mar 21 · Nov 17
- Pollocksville Mar 20 · Nov 20
- Grantsboro Mar 21 · Nov 17
- Cove City Apr 1 · Nov 4
- Vanceboro Mar 23 · Nov 15
- Alliance Mar 30 · Nov 8
- Arapahoe Mar 19 · Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Bern, NC?
The median last spring frost in New Bern, NC is March 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 7, 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 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in New Bern, NC?
About 237 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.