Frost Dates for Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Last spring frost March 31 · First fall frost November 16 · 230 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 27909 has about 40,900 people.
Long season: 230 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 15–April 16 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 30–December 3 (34 days).
Frost probability for 27909
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 16 | March 31 | March 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 30 | November 16 | December 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BACK BAY WR (52.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 230-day season in Elizabeth City
In Elizabeth City (230 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 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 14. | Jul 17 |
| Pepper | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 188 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 14. | Jul 22 |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 25 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Mar 10. | Sep 14 |
| Cucumber | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Peas | — | Feb 3–Apr 14 | 293 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 293 available after Feb 3. | Sep 5 |
| Zucchini | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Onion | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 265 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3–Mar 24 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 14 |
| Kale | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 265 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 279 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 3. | Sep 14 |
| Radish | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Oct 15 |
| Beets | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 16 | 335 | overwinter: Plant Nov 16 to Dec 7; harvest the following summer. | Dec 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 24–Apr 21 | 286 | 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 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 7. | Jul 29 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 14. | Jul 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 24. | Aug 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 307 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 279 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 279 available after Mar 3. | Aug 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 14. | Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 14. | Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Basil | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3–Mar 24 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Parsley | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 7. | Aug 31 |
| Celery | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 230 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 7. | Jul 12 |
| Scallions | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Dec 7. | Oct 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 29 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 25 |
| Collards | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 7. | Sep 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 188 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 14. | Jul 12 |
| Chives | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Oregano | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 244 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 244 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Sage | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 244 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 244 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Cosmos | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Lavender | Jan 6 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Melons | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 188 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 14. | Jul 12 |
| Mint | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 251 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 209 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 7. | Aug 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 195 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 14. | Jul 14 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 216 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 31. | Aug 10 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 7. | Jul 22 |
| Watermelon | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 7. | Jul 17 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Zinnias | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
Month by month in Elizabeth City
| 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 | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 4), Pumpkin (Jul 4), Cantaloupe (Jul 12), Celery (Jul 12), Melons (Jul 12), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 14), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 10), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 15), Pole Beans (Aug 15), Basil (Aug 20), Cosmos (Aug 20), Cucumber (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 5), Cabbage (Sep 14), Carrots (Sep 14), Beets (Sep 15), Dill (Sep 15), Swiss Chard (Sep 15), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 4), Arugula (Oct 14), Spinach (Oct 14), Radish (Oct 15). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 16). First frost around November 16. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 7). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Elizabeth City, NC (ZIP 27909)?
The median last spring frost date for Elizabeth City, NC (ZIP code 27909) 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 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Elizabeth City, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Elizabeth City, NC is around November 16. 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 30 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Elizabeth City, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Elizabeth City is about 230 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 Elizabeth City (230 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 Elizabeth City, NC?
Elizabeth City, 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 Elizabeth City, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 24 and plant out Apr 14 in Elizabeth City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Elizabeth City?
Two: plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 23.
When do I plant garlic in Elizabeth City?
Nov 16 to Dec 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Elizabeth City?
Yes: plant out Apr 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 17 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Chesapeake (ZIP 23323) has 239 frost-free days, 9 more than Elizabeth City (ZIP 27909). See Chesapeake ZIP 23323 frost dates
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