Frost Dates for Washington, NC 27889
Last spring frost March 29 · First fall frost November 4 · 220 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 27889 has about 24,400 people.
Long season: 220 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 12–April 12 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 19–November 22 (34 days).
Frost probability for 27889
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 29 | March 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 19 | November 4 | November 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WILLIAMSTON 1 E (29.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 220-day season in Washington
In Washington (220 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 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 12. | Jul 5 |
| Pepper | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 12. | Jul 10 |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 13 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 262 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 8. | Sep 2 |
| Cucumber | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Peas | — | Feb 1–Apr 12 | 283 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 1. | Aug 24 |
| Zucchini | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Onion | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 255 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 1–Mar 22 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 2 |
| Kale | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 255 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 1. | Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 269 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 1. | Sep 2 |
| Radish | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Oct 3 |
| Beets | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 4 | 325 | overwinter: Plant Nov 4 to Nov 25; harvest the following summer. | Nov 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 22–Apr 19 | 276 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 5. | Jul 17 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 12. | Jun 22 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 22. | Aug 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 269 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 1. | Aug 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 12. | Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 12. | Jul 15 |
| Okra | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Basil | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 1–Mar 22 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Parsley | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 220 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 5. | Aug 19 |
| Celery | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 220 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 5. | Jun 30 |
| Scallions | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 1 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 13 |
| Collards | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 178 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 12. | Jun 30 |
| Chives | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Oregano | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 220 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Sage | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Cosmos | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Lavender | Jan 4 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Melons | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 178 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 12. | Jun 30 |
| Mint | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 199 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 5. | Aug 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 12. | Jul 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 29. | Jul 29 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 5. | Jul 10 |
| Watermelon | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 5. | Jul 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Zinnias | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
Month by month in Washington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 4), Lavender (Jan 4), Onion (Jan 4), Rosemary (Jan 4), Celery (Jan 18), Collards (Jan 18), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 1), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 1), Cabbage (Feb 1), Lettuce (Feb 1), Sage (Feb 1), Swiss Chard (Feb 1), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 1), Beets (Feb 1), Dill (Feb 1), Peas (Feb 1), Radish (Feb 1), Spinach (Feb 1), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 1), Corn (Mar 1), Cosmos (Mar 1), Nasturtiums (Mar 1), Okra (Mar 1), Zinnias (Mar 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 1), Turnip (Mar 1), Carrots (Mar 8), Potatoes (Mar 15), Sunflowers (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), +12 more. Last frost around March 29. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 5), Pole Beans (Apr 5). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 5), Chives (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Oregano (Apr 5), Parsley (Apr 5), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 22), Pumpkin (Jun 22), Cantaloupe (Jun 30), Celery (Jun 30), Melons (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 2), Tomato (Jul 5), Watermelon (Jul 5), Pepper (Jul 10), Tomatillos (Jul 10), Eggplant (Jul 15), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 3), Pole Beans (Aug 3), Basil (Aug 8), Cosmos (Aug 8), Cucumber (Aug 8), Zinnias (Aug 8), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 2), Carrots (Sep 2), Beets (Sep 3), Dill (Sep 3), Swiss Chard (Sep 3), Calendula (Sep 8), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 2), Spinach (Oct 2), Radish (Oct 3). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 4). First frost around November 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 25). |
| 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 Washington, NC (ZIP 27889)?
The median last spring frost date for Washington, NC (ZIP code 27889) is around March 29. 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 12; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Washington, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Washington, NC is around November 4. 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 Washington, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Washington is about 220 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 Washington (220 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 Washington, NC?
Washington, 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 Washington, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 22 and plant out Apr 12 in Washington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Washington?
Two: plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11.
When do I plant garlic in Washington?
Nov 4 to Nov 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Washington?
Yes: plant out Apr 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 5 for a fall crop.
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