Frost Dates for New Bern, NC 28560
New Bern has 2 ZIP codes. The New Bern, NC frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 2 · First fall frost November 6 · 218 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 28560 has about 28,700 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in New Bern.
Long season: 218 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 17–April 18 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 18–November 27 (40 days).
Frost probability for 28560
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 18 | April 2 | March 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 18 | November 6 | November 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BAYBORO 3 SW (14.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 218-day season in New Bern
In New Bern (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 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 16. | Jul 7 |
| Pepper | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 16. | Jul 12 |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 12. | Sep 4 |
| Cucumber | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Peas | — | Feb 5–Apr 16 | 281 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 5. | Aug 26 |
| Zucchini | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Onion | Jan 8 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 5–Mar 26 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Kale | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 5. | Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 267 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 5. | Sep 4 |
| Radish | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Oct 5 |
| Beets | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 6 | 323 | overwinter: Plant Nov 6 to Nov 27; harvest the following summer. | Nov 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 26–Apr 23 | 274 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9. | Jul 19 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 16. | Jun 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 26. | Aug 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 5. | Aug 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 16. | Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 16. | Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Basil | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 5–Mar 26 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Parsley | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 9. | Aug 21 |
| Celery | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 218 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 9. | Jul 2 |
| Scallions | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Collards | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 16. | Jul 2 |
| Chives | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Oregano | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Sage | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Cosmos | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Lavender | Jan 8 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Melons | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 16. | Jul 2 |
| Mint | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 197 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 9. | Aug 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 16. | Jul 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 2. | Jul 31 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 9. | Jul 12 |
| Watermelon | Mar 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 9. | Jul 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Zinnias | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
Month by month in New Bern
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 8), Lavender (Jan 8), Onion (Jan 8), Rosemary (Jan 8), Celery (Jan 22), Collards (Jan 22), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 5), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 5), Cabbage (Feb 5), Lettuce (Feb 5), Sage (Feb 5), Swiss Chard (Feb 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 5), Beets (Feb 5), Dill (Feb 5), Peas (Feb 5), Radish (Feb 5), Spinach (Feb 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 5), Corn (Mar 5), Cosmos (Mar 5), Nasturtiums (Mar 5), Okra (Mar 5), Zinnias (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 5), Turnip (Mar 5), Carrots (Mar 12), Potatoes (Mar 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 2), Beans (Apr 9), Pole Beans (Apr 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 2), Lavender (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Mint (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +23 more. Last frost around April 2. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 24), Pumpkin (Jun 24). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 2), Celery (Jul 2), Melons (Jul 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 4), Tomato (Jul 7), Watermelon (Jul 7), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 5), Pole Beans (Aug 5), Basil (Aug 10), Cosmos (Aug 10), Cucumber (Aug 10), Zinnias (Aug 10), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 4), Carrots (Sep 4), Beets (Sep 5), Dill (Sep 5), Swiss Chard (Sep 5), Calendula (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 4), Spinach (Oct 4), Radish (Oct 5). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 6). First frost around November 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 27). |
| 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 New Bern, NC (ZIP 28560)?
The median last spring frost date for New Bern, NC (ZIP code 28560) is around April 2. 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 17; one in ten it runs past April 18.
What is the first fall frost date in New Bern, NC?
The median first fall frost date for New Bern, NC is around November 6. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in New Bern, NC?
The frost-free growing season in New Bern 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 New Bern (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 New Bern, NC?
New Bern, 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 New Bern, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 26 and plant out Apr 16 in New Bern. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in New Bern?
Two: plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13.
When do I plant garlic in New Bern?
Nov 6 to Nov 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in New Bern?
Yes: plant out Apr 16 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 7 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Havelock (ZIP 28532) has 232 frost-free days, 14 more than New Bern (ZIP 28560). See Havelock ZIP 28532 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for New Bern, NC 28562 (9.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Havelock, NC 28532 (17.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Maysville, NC 28555 (23.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Newport, NC 28570 (24.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Beaufort, NC 28516 (28.5 mi)
- When to plant in NC
- When to plant Peppers in NC
- When to plant Cucumbers in NC
- When to plant Zucchini in NC
- When to plant Butternut Squash in NC
- When to plant Basil in NC
- When to plant Sweet Corn in NC
- Look up another ZIP