Frost dates for 28401Wilmington, NC
The average last spring frost in Wilmington is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 247 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 247 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 30 · Apr 13 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 22 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 4 | Nov 5 · Nov 20 · Dec 6 | 247 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 2 · Mar 23 | Nov 14 · Dec 3 · Jan 1 | 278 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wilmington
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28401 is matched to the NOAA station Wilmington Intl Ap, NC, 6.2 km away, at 33 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Intl Ap, NC (used) | 33 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 20 |
| Wilmington 7 N, NC | 40 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
| Wilmington 7 Se, NC | 30 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 15 |
| Southport 5 N, NC | 20 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Wilmington
- Wilmington, NC 28404 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Castle Hayne, NC 28429 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Leland, NC 28451 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Winnabow, NC 28479 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 · last Mar 19, first Nov 20
- Carolina Beach, NC 28428 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
- Rocky Point, NC 28457 · last Mar 29, first Nov 8
- Kure Beach, NC 28449 · last Mar 24, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wilmington, NC?
- For ZIP code 28401, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wilmington Intl Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Wilmington, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28401?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 247 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.