Frost Dates for Spring Lake, NC 28390
Last spring frost April 3 · First fall frost October 30 · 210 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28390 has about 24,000 people.
Long season: 210 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 18–April 18 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 17 (34 days).
Frost probability for 28390
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 18 | April 3 | March 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 30 | November 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at DUNN 4 NW (27.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 210-day season in Spring Lake
In Spring Lake (210 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 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jun 30 |
| Pepper | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jul 5 |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 252 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 13. | Aug 28 |
| Cucumber | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Peas | — | Feb 6–Apr 17 | 273 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 6. | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Onion | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 245 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 6–Mar 27 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Kale | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 245 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 6. | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 259 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 6. | Aug 28 |
| Radish | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 30 | 315 | overwinter: Plant Oct 30 to Nov 20; harvest the following summer. | Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 27–Apr 24 | 266 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 10. | Jul 12 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 175 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 17. | Jun 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 224 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 27. | Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 259 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 6. | Jul 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 175 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 17. | Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jul 10 |
| Okra | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Basil | Feb 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 6–Mar 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Parsley | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 10. | Aug 14 |
| Celery | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 210 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 10. | Jun 25 |
| Scallions | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Collards | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jun 25 |
| Chives | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Oregano | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Sage | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 224 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Cosmos | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Lavender | Jan 9 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Melons | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jun 25 |
| Mint | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 189 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 10. | Jul 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 17. | Jun 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | Jul 24 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 10. | Jul 5 |
| Watermelon | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 10. | Jun 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Zinnias | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
Month by month in Spring Lake
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 9), Lavender (Jan 9), Onion (Jan 9), Rosemary (Jan 9), Celery (Jan 23), Collards (Jan 23), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 6), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 6), Cabbage (Feb 6), Lettuce (Feb 6), Sage (Feb 6), Swiss Chard (Feb 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 6), Beets (Feb 6), Dill (Feb 6), Peas (Feb 6), Radish (Feb 6), Spinach (Feb 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 6), Corn (Mar 6), Cosmos (Mar 6), Nasturtiums (Mar 6), Okra (Mar 6), Zinnias (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 6), Turnip (Mar 6), Carrots (Mar 13), Potatoes (Mar 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 3), Beans (Apr 10), Pole Beans (Apr 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 3), Lavender (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Mint (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +23 more. Last frost around April 3. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 17), Pumpkin (Jun 17), Cantaloupe (Jun 25), Celery (Jun 25), Melons (Jun 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 27), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 5), Tomatillos (Jul 5), Eggplant (Jul 10), Corn (Jul 12), Sunflowers (Jul 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 29), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 3), Cosmos (Aug 3), Cucumber (Aug 3), Zinnias (Aug 3), Broccoli (Aug 4), Nasturtiums (Aug 8), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 3), Cilantro (Sep 3), Collards (Sep 7), Scallions (Sep 7), Bok Choy (Sep 8), Lettuce (Sep 8), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 30). First frost around October 30. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 20). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Spring Lake, NC (ZIP 28390)?
The median last spring frost date for Spring Lake, NC (ZIP code 28390) is around April 3. 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 18; one in ten it runs past April 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Spring Lake, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Spring Lake, NC is around October 30. 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 Spring Lake, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Spring Lake is about 210 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 Spring Lake (210 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 Spring Lake, NC?
Spring Lake, 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 Spring Lake, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 27 and plant out Apr 17 in Spring Lake. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Spring Lake?
Two: plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6.
When do I plant garlic in Spring Lake?
Oct 30 to Nov 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Spring Lake?
Yes: plant out Apr 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 30 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Cameron (ZIP 28326) has 218 frost-free days, 8 more than Spring Lake (ZIP 28390). See Cameron ZIP 28326 frost dates
Nearby and related
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