Frost Dates for Lumberton, NC 28359

Lumberton has 3 ZIP codes. The Lumberton, NC frost page lists all of them with their dates.

Last spring frost March 28 · First fall frost November 1 · 218 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b

ZIP 28359 has about 877 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Lumberton.

Long season: 218 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 8–April 17 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 18 (35 days).

Frost probability for 28359

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)April 17March 28March 8
Fall (first frost)October 14November 1November 18

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WHITEVILLE 7 NW (31.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 218-day season in Lumberton

In Lumberton (218 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoFeb 21Apr 11–Apr 18176fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11.Jul 2
PepperFeb 14Apr 11–Apr 18176fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11.Jul 7
LettuceJan 31Feb 28–Mar 7253two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 10
Carrots—Mar 7–Mar 14260fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 7.Aug 30
CucumberMar 7Apr 11–Apr 18190two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
Beans—Apr 4–Apr 18204two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 12
Peas—Jan 31–Apr 11281fits: 65 days to maturity, 281 available after Jan 31.Aug 21
ZucchiniMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18190two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
OnionJan 3Feb 28–Mar 14253fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 28.—
Spinach—Jan 31–Mar 21295two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 29
KaleJan 17Feb 28–Mar 14267two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 14
BroccoliJan 31Feb 28–Mar 14253fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 28.Aug 6
CabbageJan 31Feb 28–Mar 14267fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 28.Aug 30
Radish—Jan 31–Apr 25281two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 30
Beets—Jan 31–Apr 25281two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 31
Potatoes—Mar 14–Mar 21239fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 14.—
Garlic—Nov 1323overwinter: Plant Nov 1 to Nov 22; harvest the following summer.Nov 22
Strawberry—Feb 21–Apr 18274perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornFeb 28Apr 4–Apr 11190fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 4.Jul 14
PumpkinMar 14Apr 11–Apr 11183fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11.Jun 19
CauliflowerFeb 14Mar 21–Apr 4232fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 21.Aug 11
Swiss ChardJan 31Mar 14–Mar 14239two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 31
Arugula—Jan 31–Apr 25295two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 29
Brussel SproutsJan 31Feb 28–Mar 14267fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 28.Jul 31
Butternut SquashMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18183fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11.Jun 19
EggplantFeb 7Apr 11–Apr 18176fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11.Jul 12
OkraFeb 28Apr 4–Apr 11197two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
BasilFeb 21Apr 18–Apr 18183two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
Cilantro—Feb 28–Mar 21253two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 5
ParsleyJan 17Apr 4–Apr 11218fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 4.Aug 16
CeleryJan 17Apr 4–Apr 18218fits: 120 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 4.Jun 27
ScallionsJan 17Feb 28–Mar 14267two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 9
Turnip—Feb 28–Mar 14267two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 19
Kohlrabi—Feb 14–Feb 28281two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 14
Bok ChoyFeb 28Mar 21–Mar 28232two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 10
CollardsJan 17Feb 28–Mar 14267two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 9
CantaloupeMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18176fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11.Jun 27
ChivesJan 3Apr 4–Apr 11232fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4.—
Dill—Jan 31–Apr 25281two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 31
OreganoJan 17Apr 4–Apr 11232fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4.—
RosemaryJan 3Apr 4–Apr 11218fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 4.—
SageJan 31Apr 4–Apr 11232fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4.—
ThymeJan 17Apr 4–Apr 11232fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4.—
CalendulaFeb 14Mar 14–Mar 28239two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 5
CosmosFeb 28Mar 28–Apr 11204two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
LavenderJan 3Mar 28–Apr 11239fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 28.—
MarigoldsFeb 14Mar 28–Apr 4204two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 15
MelonsMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18176fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11.Jun 27
Mint—Mar 28–Apr 11239fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 28.—
NasturtiumsFeb 28Mar 28–Apr 4204two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
Pole Beans—Apr 4–Apr 18197fits: 65 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 4.Jul 31
Spaghetti SquashMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18183fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11.Jun 29
Sunflowers—Mar 28–Apr 11204fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 28.Jul 26
TomatillosJan 31Apr 4–Apr 11183fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 4.Jul 7
WatermelonMar 14Apr 4–Apr 11183fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 4.Jul 2
Yellow SquashMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18190two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
ZinniasFeb 28Mar 28–Apr 11204two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5

Month by month in Lumberton

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Chives (Jan 3), Lavender (Jan 3), Onion (Jan 3), Rosemary (Jan 3), Celery (Jan 17), Collards (Jan 17), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 31), Beets (Jan 31), Dill (Jan 31), Peas (Jan 31), Radish (Jan 31), Spinach (Jan 31).
FebruaryStart indoors: Eggplant (Feb 7), Calendula (Feb 14), Cauliflower (Feb 14), Marigolds (Feb 14), Pepper (Feb 14), Basil (Feb 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 14), Cilantro (Feb 28), Turnip (Feb 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 28), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 28), Cabbage (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), Kale (Feb 28), Lettuce (Feb 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 21).
MarchStart indoors: Cucumber (Mar 7), Butternut Squash (Mar 14), Cantaloupe (Mar 14), Melons (Mar 14), Pumpkin (Mar 14), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 7), Potatoes (Mar 14), Sunflowers (Mar 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), Bok Choy (Mar 21), Cauliflower (Mar 21), Cosmos (Mar 28), Lavender (Mar 28), +4 more. Last frost around March 28.
AprilDirect sow from: Beans (Apr 4), Pole Beans (Apr 4). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 4), Chives (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Oregano (Apr 4), Parsley (Apr 4), +17 more.
MaySuccession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 19), Pumpkin (Jun 19), Cantaloupe (Jun 27), Celery (Jun 27), Melons (Jun 27), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 29).
JulyLast sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 2), Watermelon (Jul 2), Pepper (Jul 7), Tomatillos (Jul 7), Eggplant (Jul 12), Corn (Jul 14), +3 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Basil (Aug 5), Cosmos (Aug 5), Cucumber (Aug 5), Zinnias (Aug 5), Broccoli (Aug 6), Nasturtiums (Aug 10), +13 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 5), Cilantro (Sep 5), Collards (Sep 9), Scallions (Sep 9), Bok Choy (Sep 10), Lettuce (Sep 10), +6 more.
OctoberFirst fall frost approaching (around November 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes.
NovemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Nov 1). First frost around November 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 22).
DecemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Lumberton, NC (ZIP 28359)?

The median last spring frost date for Lumberton, NC (ZIP code 28359) is around March 28. 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 8; one in ten it runs past April 17.

What is the first fall frost date in Lumberton, NC?

The median first fall frost date for Lumberton, NC is around November 1. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Lumberton, NC?

The frost-free growing season in Lumberton 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 Lumberton (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 Lumberton, NC?

Lumberton, 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 Lumberton, NC?

Start tomatoes indoors Feb 21 and plant out Apr 11 in Lumberton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lumberton?

Two: plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.

When do I plant garlic in Lumberton?

Nov 1 to Nov 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I get two tomato crops in Lumberton?

Yes: plant out Apr 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 2 for a fall crop.

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