Frost Dates for Clinton, NC 28328
Last spring frost March 31 · First fall frost November 4 · 218 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 28328 has about 26,900 people.
Long season: 218 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 15–April 17 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 16–November 22 (37 days).
Frost probability for 28328
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 17 | March 31 | March 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 16 | November 4 | November 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CLINTON 2 NE (5.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 218-day season in Clinton
In Clinton (218 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 | Feb 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 14. | Jul 5 |
| Pepper | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 14. | Jul 10 |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 13 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 10. | Sep 2 |
| Cucumber | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Peas | — | Feb 3–Apr 14 | 281 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 3. | Aug 24 |
| Zucchini | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Onion | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3–Mar 24 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 2 |
| Kale | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 3. | Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 267 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 3. | Sep 2 |
| Radish | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Oct 3 |
| Beets | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 4 | 323 | overwinter: Plant Nov 4 to Nov 25; harvest the following summer. | Nov 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 24–Apr 21 | 274 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 7. | Jul 17 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 14. | Jun 22 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 24. | Aug 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 3. | Aug 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 14. | Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 14. | Jul 15 |
| Okra | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Basil | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3–Mar 24 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Parsley | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 7. | Aug 19 |
| Celery | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 218 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 7. | Jun 30 |
| Scallions | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 13 |
| Collards | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 14. | Jun 30 |
| Chives | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Oregano | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Sage | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Cosmos | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Lavender | Jan 6 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Melons | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 14. | Jun 30 |
| Mint | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 197 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 7. | Aug 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 14. | Jul 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 31. | Jul 29 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 7. | Jul 10 |
| Watermelon | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 7. | Jul 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Zinnias | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
Month by month in Clinton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 6), Lavender (Jan 6), Onion (Jan 6), Rosemary (Jan 6), Celery (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), Sage (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 3), Beets (Feb 3), Dill (Feb 3), Peas (Feb 3), Radish (Feb 3), Spinach (Feb 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Cosmos (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 3), Turnip (Mar 3), Carrots (Mar 10), Potatoes (Mar 17), Sunflowers (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), +12 more. Last frost around March 31. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 7), Pole Beans (Apr 7). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 7), Chives (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 22), Pumpkin (Jun 22), Cantaloupe (Jun 30), Celery (Jun 30), Melons (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 2), Tomato (Jul 5), Watermelon (Jul 5), Pepper (Jul 10), Tomatillos (Jul 10), Eggplant (Jul 15), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 3), Pole Beans (Aug 3), Basil (Aug 8), Cosmos (Aug 8), Cucumber (Aug 8), Zinnias (Aug 8), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 2), Carrots (Sep 2), Beets (Sep 3), Dill (Sep 3), Swiss Chard (Sep 3), Calendula (Sep 8), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 2), Spinach (Oct 2), Radish (Oct 3). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 4). First frost around November 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 25). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Clinton, NC (ZIP 28328)?
The median last spring frost date for Clinton, NC (ZIP code 28328) is around March 31. 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 15; one in ten it runs past April 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Clinton, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Clinton, NC is around November 4. 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Clinton, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Clinton is about 218 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 Clinton (218 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 Clinton, NC?
Clinton, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Clinton, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 24 and plant out Apr 14 in Clinton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Clinton?
Two: plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11.
When do I plant garlic in Clinton?
Nov 4 to Nov 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Clinton?
Yes: plant out Apr 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 5 for a fall crop.
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