Wilmington 7 SE, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 20
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
240 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 28 Mar 20 Apr 8
First fall frost Dec 1 Nov 15 Nov 2
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 3 · first Nov 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WILMINGTON 7 SE 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 SE

Computed from Wilmington 7 SE'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 Jan 23 – Feb 6 Mar 27 – Apr 3
🫑 Peppers Jan 9 – Jan 23 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🥬 Lettuce Feb 6 – Feb 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6 Feb 20 – Mar 20
🫛 Peas Feb 6 – Feb 20
🥕 Carrots Feb 27 – Mar 20
🥦 Broccoli Jan 30 – Feb 13 Feb 27 – Mar 13
🥬 Kale Feb 6 – Feb 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6 Feb 20 – Mar 6
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Apr 3 Mar 27 – Apr 3
🥒 Zucchini Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Apr 3 Mar 27 – Apr 3
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 27 – Apr 3
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 27 – Apr 3
🌿 Basil Feb 6 – Feb 20 Mar 27 – Apr 3 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 4 – Nov 1

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 SE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Wilmington 7 SE

With roughly 240 frost-free days, Wilmington 7 SE 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 15 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 SE, NC?

The average last spring frost in Wilmington 7 SE is around Mar 20, 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 SE, NC?

The average first fall frost in Wilmington 7 SE arrives around Nov 15. 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 SE?

About 240 frost-free days on average, from Mar 20 to Nov 15. 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 SE in?

USDA zone 8b 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.