Frost dates for 28560New Bern, NC
The average last spring frost in New Bern is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 237 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 237 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 23 · Apr 7 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 12 · Mar 28 | Nov 10 · Nov 28 · Dec 21 | 262 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New Bern
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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28560 is matched to the NOAA station New Bern Craven Co Ap, NC, 8.2 km away, at 19 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Bern Craven Co Ap, NC (used) | 19 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 15 |
| Reelsboro, NC | 45 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 17 |
| Perrytown, NC | 28 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 20 |
| Bayboro 3 Sw, NC | 5 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near New Bern
- Bridgeton, NC 28519 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- New Bern, NC 28563 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Grantsboro, NC 28529 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Ernul, NC 28527 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Alliance, NC 28509 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Arapahoe, NC 28510 · last Mar 19, first Nov 22
- Bayboro, NC 28515 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Stonewall, NC 28583 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Bern, NC?
- For ZIP code 28560, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Bern Craven Co Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in New Bern, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28560?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 237 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.