Frost Dates for Southern Pines, NC 28387
Last spring frost April 1 · First fall frost November 3 · 216 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28387 has about 16,100 people.
Long season: 216 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 17–April 16 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 17–November 20 (34 days).
Frost probability for 28387
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 16 | April 1 | March 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 17 | November 3 | November 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JACKSON SPRINGS 5 WNW (27.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 216-day season in Southern Pines
In Southern Pines (216 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 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 15. | Jul 4 |
| Pepper | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 15. | Jul 9 |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 258 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 11. | Sep 1 |
| Cucumber | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Beans | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Peas | — | Feb 4–Apr 15 | 279 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 279 available after Feb 4. | Aug 23 |
| Zucchini | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Onion | Jan 7 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 4–Mar 25 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Kale | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 251 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 4. | Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 265 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 4. | Sep 1 |
| Radish | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 3 | 321 | overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer. | Nov 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 25–Apr 22 | 272 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 188 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 8. | Jul 16 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 15. | Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 230 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 25. | Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Mar 18 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 293 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 265 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 4. | Aug 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 15. | Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 15. | Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Basil | Feb 25 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 4–Mar 25 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 216 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 8. | Aug 18 |
| Celery | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 216 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 8. | Jun 29 |
| Scallions | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 4 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Collards | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 174 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 15. | Jun 29 |
| Chives | Jan 7 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 230 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Oregano | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 230 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 7 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 216 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Sage | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 230 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 230 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cosmos | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Lavender | Jan 7 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Melons | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 174 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 15. | Jun 29 |
| Mint | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 195 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 8. | Aug 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 15. | Jul 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 1. | Jul 28 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 8. | Jul 9 |
| Watermelon | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 8. | Jul 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Zinnias | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
Month by month in Southern Pines
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 7), Lavender (Jan 7), Onion (Jan 7), Rosemary (Jan 7), Celery (Jan 21), Collards (Jan 21), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 4), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 4), Cabbage (Feb 4), Lettuce (Feb 4), Sage (Feb 4), Swiss Chard (Feb 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 4), Beets (Feb 4), Dill (Feb 4), Peas (Feb 4), Radish (Feb 4), Spinach (Feb 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 4), Corn (Mar 4), Cosmos (Mar 4), Nasturtiums (Mar 4), Okra (Mar 4), Zinnias (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 4), Turnip (Mar 4), Carrots (Mar 11), Potatoes (Mar 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 1), Beans (Apr 8), Pole Beans (Apr 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 1), Lavender (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Mint (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +23 more. Last frost around April 1. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 21), Pumpkin (Jun 21), Cantaloupe (Jun 29), Celery (Jun 29), Melons (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 1), Tomato (Jul 4), Watermelon (Jul 4), Pepper (Jul 9), Tomatillos (Jul 9), Eggplant (Jul 14), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 2), Pole Beans (Aug 2), Basil (Aug 7), Cosmos (Aug 7), Cucumber (Aug 7), Zinnias (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 1), Carrots (Sep 1), Beets (Sep 2), Dill (Sep 2), Swiss Chard (Sep 2), Calendula (Sep 7), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 1), Spinach (Oct 1), Radish (Oct 2). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 3). First frost around November 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 24). |
| 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 Southern Pines, NC (ZIP 28387)?
The median last spring frost date for Southern Pines, NC (ZIP code 28387) is around April 1. 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 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Southern Pines, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Southern Pines, NC is around November 3. 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Southern Pines, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Southern Pines is about 216 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 Southern Pines (216 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 Southern Pines, NC?
Southern Pines, 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 Southern Pines, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 25 and plant out Apr 15 in Southern Pines. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Southern Pines?
Two: plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.
When do I plant garlic in Southern Pines?
Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Southern Pines?
Yes: plant out Apr 15 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 4 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Pinehurst, NC 28374 (4.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Aberdeen, NC 28315 (6.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Raeford, NC 28376 (12 mi)
- Frost dates for Carthage, NC 28327 (12.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Cameron, NC 28326 (13.5 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