Frost dates for 28562 — New Bern, NC
Last spring frostMar 20median date
First fall frostNov 20median date
Growing season245 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How New Bern compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in New Bern falls between February 28 and April 5, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 13.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 245-day growing season is longer than 94% 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 44 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jacksonville, NC, 49 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 7 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 20 |
| 90% (late) | December 13 |
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 28562 — New Bern, NC — last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 20, 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 25 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
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 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
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 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Plant for fall: Nov 6 to Dec 11
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 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 25 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| 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 28 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 27 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| 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 28 – Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 6 – Dec 11 |
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 Perrytown, NC weather station, 5 km away (elevation 30 ft (9 m)).
ZIP codes in New Bern: 28560 28561 28562 28563 28564
Frost dates near New Bern
- Bridgeton Mar 23 · Nov 15
- Pollocksville Mar 20 · Nov 20
- Ernul Mar 21 · Nov 17
- Cove City Apr 1 · Nov 4
- Grantsboro Mar 21 · Nov 17
- Vanceboro Mar 23 · Nov 15
- Alliance Mar 30 · Nov 8
- Maysville Apr 6 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in New Bern, NC?
The median last spring frost in New Bern, NC is March 20. 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 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in New Bern, NC?
About 245 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.