Frost Dates for Swansboro, NC 28584
Last spring frost March 28 · First fall frost November 15 · 232 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 28584 has about 14,900 people.
Long season: 232 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 9–April 16 (38 days). Fall frost risk spans November 1–November 29 (28 days).
Frost probability for 28584
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 16 | March 28 | March 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 1 | November 15 | November 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MOREHEAD CITY 2 WNW (33.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 232-day season in Swansboro
In Swansboro (232 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 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 11. | Jul 16 |
| Pepper | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 11. | Jul 21 |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 24 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 7. | Sep 13 |
| Cucumber | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Peas | — | Jan 31–Apr 11 | 295 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 295 available after Jan 31. | Sep 4 |
| Zucchini | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Onion | Jan 3 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 31–Mar 21 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 267 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 28. | Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 281 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 28. | Sep 13 |
| Radish | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Oct 14 |
| Beets | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 15 | 337 | overwinter: Plant Nov 15 to Dec 6; harvest the following summer. | Dec 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 21–Apr 18 | 288 | 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 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 4. | Jul 28 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 11. | Jul 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 21. | Aug 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 13; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 281 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 28. | Aug 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 11. | Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 11. | Jul 26 |
| Okra | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Basil | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 28–Mar 21 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Parsley | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4. | Aug 30 |
| Celery | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 232 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4. | Jul 11 |
| Scallions | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 23 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 28 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 24 |
| Collards | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 190 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 11. | Jul 11 |
| Chives | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Oregano | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Sage | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Cosmos | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Lavender | Jan 3 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Melons | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 190 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 11. | Jul 11 |
| Mint | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 211 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 4. | Aug 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 11. | Jul 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 28. | Aug 9 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 4. | Jul 21 |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 4. | Jul 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Zinnias | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
Month by month in Swansboro
| 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 | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 3), Pumpkin (Jul 3), Cantaloupe (Jul 11), Celery (Jul 11), Melons (Jul 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 13), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 9), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 14), Pole Beans (Aug 14), Basil (Aug 19), Cosmos (Aug 19), Cucumber (Aug 19), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 4), Cabbage (Sep 13), Carrots (Sep 13), Beets (Sep 14), Dill (Sep 14), Swiss Chard (Sep 14), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 3), Arugula (Oct 13), Spinach (Oct 13), Radish (Oct 14). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 15). First frost around November 15. |
| December | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 6). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Swansboro, NC (ZIP 28584)?
The median last spring frost date for Swansboro, NC (ZIP code 28584) 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 9; one in ten it runs past April 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Swansboro, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Swansboro, NC is around November 15. 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 November 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Swansboro, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Swansboro is about 232 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 Swansboro (232 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 Swansboro, NC?
Swansboro, 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 Swansboro, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 21 and plant out Apr 11 in Swansboro. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Swansboro?
Two: plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 22.
When do I plant garlic in Swansboro?
Nov 15 to Dec 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Swansboro?
Yes: plant out Apr 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 16 for a fall crop.
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