Frost dates for 28563New 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 28563 is matched to the NOAA station New Bern Craven Co Ap, NC, 5 km away, at 19 ft elevation (9 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 |
| Perrytown, NC | 28 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 20 |
| 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 28564 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Bridgeton, NC 28519 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Ernul, NC 28527 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Grantsboro, NC 28529 · last Mar 30, first Nov 8
- Pollocksville, NC 28573 · last Mar 20, first Nov 20
- Cove City, NC 28523 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- 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 28563, 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 28563?
- 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.