Frost Dates for Southport, NC 28461
Last spring frost March 28 · First fall frost November 6 · 223 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 28461 has about 23,800 people.
Long season: 223 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 11–April 15 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans October 19–November 23 (35 days).
Frost probability for 28461
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | March 28 | March 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 19 | November 6 | November 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SOUTHPORT 5 N (4.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 223-day season in Southport
In Southport (223 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 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 11. | Jul 7 |
| Pepper | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 11. | Jul 12 |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 265 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 265 available after Mar 7. | Sep 4 |
| Cucumber | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Peas | — | Jan 31–Apr 11 | 286 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 286 available after Jan 31. | Aug 26 |
| Zucchini | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Onion | Jan 3 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 258 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 31–Mar 21 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Kale | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 258 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 258 available after Feb 28. | Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 272 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 28. | Sep 4 |
| Radish | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Oct 5 |
| Beets | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 6 | 328 | overwinter: Plant Nov 6 to Nov 27; harvest the following summer. | Nov 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 21–Apr 18 | 279 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 195 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 4. | Jul 19 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 11. | Jun 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 237 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 21. | Aug 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 300 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 272 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 28. | Aug 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 11. | Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 11. | Jul 17 |
| Okra | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Basil | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 28–Mar 21 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Parsley | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 223 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 4. | Aug 21 |
| Celery | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 223 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 4. | Jul 2 |
| Scallions | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 28 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Collards | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 181 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 11. | Jul 2 |
| Chives | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Oregano | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 223 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Sage | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 237 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 237 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 237 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Cosmos | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Lavender | Jan 3 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Melons | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 181 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 11. | Jul 2 |
| Mint | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 244 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 202 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 4. | Aug 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 11. | Jul 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 28. | Jul 31 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 188 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 4. | Jul 12 |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 4. | Jul 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Zinnias | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
Month by month in Southport
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start 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). |
| February | Start 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). |
| March | Start 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. |
| April | Direct 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. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| 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 Southport, NC (ZIP 28461)?
The median last spring frost date for Southport, NC (ZIP code 28461) 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 11; one in ten it runs past April 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Southport, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Southport, 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 19 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Southport, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Southport is about 223 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 Southport (223 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 Southport, NC?
Southport, 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 Southport, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 21 and plant out Apr 11 in Southport. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Southport?
Two: plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13.
When do I plant garlic in Southport?
Nov 6 to Nov 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Southport?
Yes: plant out Apr 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 7 for a fall crop.
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