Frost Dates for Wilmington, NC
In Wilmington, NC, the average last spring frost is around Mar 19 and the average first fall frost around Nov 20, for a growing season of about 247 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 4, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Wilmington Intl. Airport, NC weather station, 4 miles away, elevation 33 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Apr 4 | Nov 5 |
| 20% | Mar 30 | Nov 10 |
| 30% | Mar 26 | Nov 13 |
| 40% | Mar 22 | Nov 16 |
| 50% | Mar 19 | Nov 20 |
| 60% | Mar 16 | Nov 24 |
| 70% | Mar 12 | Nov 27 |
| 80% | Mar 5 | Dec 1 |
| 90% | Feb 26 | Dec 6 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 30 | Nov 8 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 | Nov 20 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 | Dec 3 |
Planting calendar for Wilmington
Transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sow or transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sow or transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sow or transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Sow or transplant Feb 19 – Mar 5
Fall sowing Sep 25 – Oct 23
Fall sowing Sep 25 – Oct 16
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Sep 25
Sow or transplant Feb 19 – Mar 5
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Oct 9
Transplant Mar 5 – Mar 19
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Transplant Feb 26 – Mar 12
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Fall sowing Aug 28 – Sep 11
Fall sowing Oct 9 – Oct 30
Fall sowing Sep 11 – Sep 25
Plant Feb 19 – Mar 5
Based on the average last frost (Mar 19) and first frost (Nov 20). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.