Frost Dates for Benson, NC 27504
Last spring frost April 5 · First fall frost October 30 · 208 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 27504 has about 17,100 people.
Long season: 208 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 18–April 22 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans October 13–November 17 (35 days).
Frost probability for 27504
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | April 5 | March 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 13 | October 30 | November 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SMITHFIELD (20.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 208-day season in Benson
In Benson (208 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 19. | Jun 30 |
| Pepper | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 19. | Jul 5 |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 250 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 15. | Aug 28 |
| Cucumber | Mar 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Beans | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Peas | — | Feb 8–Apr 19 | 271 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 8. | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Onion | Jan 11 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 8–Mar 29 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Kale | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 8. | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 257 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 8. | Aug 28 |
| Radish | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 30 | 313 | overwinter: Plant Oct 30 to Nov 20; harvest the following summer. | Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 1–Apr 26 | 264 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jul 12 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 19. | Jun 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 222 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 29. | Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Mar 22 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 257 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 8. | Jul 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 19. | Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 19. | Jul 10 |
| Okra | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Basil | Mar 1 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 8–Mar 29 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Parsley | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 12. | Aug 14 |
| Celery | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 208 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 12. | Jun 25 |
| Scallions | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 8 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Collards | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 166 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 19. | Jun 25 |
| Chives | Jan 11 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Oregano | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 11 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Sage | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 222 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Cosmos | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Lavender | Jan 11 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Melons | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 166 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 19. | Jun 25 |
| Mint | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 187 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 12. | Jul 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 19. | Jun 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 5. | Jul 24 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 12. | Jul 5 |
| Watermelon | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 12. | Jun 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Zinnias | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
Month by month in Benson
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 11), Lavender (Jan 11), Onion (Jan 11), Rosemary (Jan 11), Celery (Jan 25), Collards (Jan 25), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 8), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 8), Cabbage (Feb 8), Lettuce (Feb 8), Sage (Feb 8), Swiss Chard (Feb 8), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 8), Beets (Feb 8), Dill (Feb 8), Peas (Feb 8), Radish (Feb 8), Spinach (Feb 8), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 1), Tomato (Mar 1), Bok Choy (Mar 8), Corn (Mar 8), Cosmos (Mar 8), Nasturtiums (Mar 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 8), Turnip (Mar 8), Carrots (Mar 15), Potatoes (Mar 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 8), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 8), Cabbage (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Lettuce (Mar 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 1). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 5), Beans (Apr 12), Pole Beans (Apr 12). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 5), Lavender (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Mint (Apr 5), Nasturtiums (Apr 5), Zinnias (Apr 5), +23 more. Last frost around April 5. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 17), Pumpkin (Jun 17), Cantaloupe (Jun 25), Celery (Jun 25), Melons (Jun 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 27), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 5), Tomatillos (Jul 5), Eggplant (Jul 10), Corn (Jul 12), Sunflowers (Jul 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 29), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 3), Cosmos (Aug 3), Cucumber (Aug 3), Zinnias (Aug 3), Broccoli (Aug 4), Nasturtiums (Aug 8), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 3), Cilantro (Sep 3), Collards (Sep 7), Scallions (Sep 7), Bok Choy (Sep 8), Lettuce (Sep 8), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 30). First frost around October 30. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 20). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Benson, NC (ZIP 27504)?
The median last spring frost date for Benson, NC (ZIP code 27504) is around April 5. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 18; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Benson, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Benson, NC is around October 30. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Benson, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Benson is about 208 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Benson (208 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Benson, NC?
Benson, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Benson, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 1 and plant out Apr 19 in Benson. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Benson?
Two: plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6.
When do I plant garlic in Benson?
Oct 30 to Nov 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Benson?
Yes: plant out Apr 19 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 30 for a fall crop.
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