Wilmington 7 N, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Wilmington 7 N garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 29
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
224 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 12 Mar 29 Apr 11
First fall frost Nov 26 Nov 8 Oct 27
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 16 · first Nov 20

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WILMINGTON 7 N station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Wilmington 7 N

Computed from Wilmington 7 N's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 1 – Feb 15 Apr 5 – Apr 12
🫑 Peppers Jan 18 – Feb 1 Apr 12 – Apr 19
🥬 Lettuce Feb 15 – Mar 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 1 – Mar 29
🫛 Peas Feb 15 – Mar 1
🥕 Carrots Mar 8 – Mar 29
🥦 Broccoli Feb 8 – Feb 22 Mar 8 – Mar 22
🥬 Kale Feb 15 – Mar 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 1 – Mar 15
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 1 – Mar 8 Apr 5 – Apr 12 Apr 5 – Apr 12
🥒 Zucchini Mar 1 – Mar 8 Apr 5 – Apr 12 Apr 5 – Apr 12
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 5 – Apr 12
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 5 – Apr 12
🌿 Basil Feb 15 – Mar 1 Apr 5 – Apr 12 Apr 12 – Apr 19
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 27 – Oct 25

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Wilmington 7 N's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Wilmington 7 N

With roughly 224 frost-free days, Wilmington 7 N gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 8 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Wilmington 7 N, NC?

The average last spring frost in Wilmington 7 N is around Mar 29, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Wilmington 7 N, NC?

The average first fall frost in Wilmington 7 N arrives around Nov 8. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Wilmington 7 N?

About 224 frost-free days on average, from Mar 29 to Nov 8. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Wilmington 7 N in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.