Frost Dates for Wilson, NC 27893
Last spring frost April 2 · First fall frost November 2 · 214 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 27893 has about 38,500 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Wilson.
Long season: 214 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 17–April 18 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 13–November 22 (40 days).
Frost probability for 27893
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 18 | April 2 | March 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 13 | November 2 | November 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WILSON 3 SW (3.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Wilson, NC
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27893 | April 2 | November 2 | 8a |
| 27896 | April 2 | November 2 | 8a |
Which crops fit a 214-day season in Wilson
In Wilson (214 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 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 16. | Jul 3 |
| Pepper | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 16. | Jul 8 |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 12. | Aug 31 |
| Cucumber | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Peas | — | Feb 5–Apr 16 | 277 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 5. | Aug 22 |
| Zucchini | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Onion | Jan 8 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 5–Mar 26 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Kale | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 249 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 5. | Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 5. | Aug 31 |
| Radish | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 2 | 319 | overwinter: Plant Nov 2 to Nov 23; harvest the following summer. | Nov 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 26–Apr 23 | 270 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 9. | Jul 15 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jun 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 26. | Aug 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 263 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 5. | Aug 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 16. | Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Basil | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 5–Mar 26 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Parsley | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 9. | Aug 17 |
| Celery | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 214 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 9. | Jun 28 |
| Scallions | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Collards | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 172 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 16. | Jun 28 |
| Chives | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Oregano | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Sage | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Cosmos | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Lavender | Jan 8 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Melons | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 172 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 16. | Jun 28 |
| Mint | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 193 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 9. | Aug 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jun 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 2. | Jul 27 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 9. | Jul 8 |
| Watermelon | Mar 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 9. | Jul 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
Month by month in Wilson
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 8), Lavender (Jan 8), Onion (Jan 8), Rosemary (Jan 8), Celery (Jan 22), Collards (Jan 22), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 5), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 5), Cabbage (Feb 5), Lettuce (Feb 5), Sage (Feb 5), Swiss Chard (Feb 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 5), Beets (Feb 5), Dill (Feb 5), Peas (Feb 5), Radish (Feb 5), Spinach (Feb 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 5), Corn (Mar 5), Cosmos (Mar 5), Nasturtiums (Mar 5), Okra (Mar 5), Zinnias (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 5), Turnip (Mar 5), Carrots (Mar 12), Potatoes (Mar 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 2), Beans (Apr 9), Pole Beans (Apr 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 2), Lavender (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Mint (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +23 more. Last frost around April 2. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 20), Pumpkin (Jun 20), Cantaloupe (Jun 28), Celery (Jun 28), Melons (Jun 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 3), Watermelon (Jul 3), Pepper (Jul 8), Tomatillos (Jul 8), Eggplant (Jul 13), Corn (Jul 15), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 1), Pole Beans (Aug 1), Basil (Aug 6), Cosmos (Aug 6), Cucumber (Aug 6), Zinnias (Aug 6), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Beets (Sep 1), Dill (Sep 1), Swiss Chard (Sep 1), Calendula (Sep 6), Cilantro (Sep 6), Collards (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Radish (Oct 1). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 2). First frost around November 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 23). |
| 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 Wilson, NC (ZIP 27893)?
The median last spring frost date for Wilson, NC (ZIP code 27893) is around April 2. 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 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Wilson, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Wilson, NC is around November 2. 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 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Wilson, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Wilson is about 214 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 Wilson (214 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 Wilson, NC?
Wilson, 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 Wilson, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 26 and plant out Apr 16 in Wilson. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Wilson?
Two: plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9.
When do I plant garlic in Wilson?
Nov 2 to Nov 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Wilson?
Yes: plant out Apr 16 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 3 for a fall crop.
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