Frost dates for 28562New Bern, NC
The average last spring frost in New Bern is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 246 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 246 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 18 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 17 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 222 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 5 | Nov 5 · Nov 20 · Dec 13 | 246 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 4 · Mar 23 | Nov 18 · Dec 6 · Jan 7 | 280 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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28562 is matched to the NOAA station Perrytown, NC, 5.2 km away, at 28 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perrytown, NC (used) | 28 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 20 |
| New Bern Craven Co Ap, NC | 19 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 15 |
| Reelsboro, NC | 45 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 17 |
| Bayboro 3 Sw, NC | 5 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near New Bern
- New Bern, NC 28561 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Bridgeton, NC 28519 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Pollocksville, NC 28573 · last Mar 20, first Nov 20
- Ernul, NC 28527 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Cove City, NC 28523 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Grantsboro, NC 28529 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Vanceboro, NC 28586 · last Mar 20, first Nov 20
- Alliance, NC 28509 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Bern, NC?
- For ZIP code 28562, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Perrytown, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in New Bern, 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 28562?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 246 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.