Jacksonville, NC planting zone & frost dates
Jacksonville is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 31 and the first fall frost around November 8, for a growing season of about 224 days.
Planting calendar for Jacksonville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 31) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 13 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 8).
Useful for zone 8b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 13 | Mar 31 | Apr 15 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 25 | Nov 8 | Oct 27 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 15, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 18.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Jacksonville
- 28540 zone 8a
- 28541 zone 8b
- 28546 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Piney Green zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- New Bern zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Kinston zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Havelock zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
- Murraysville zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
- Masonboro zone 8b, last frost Mar 20
- Wilmington zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
- Leland zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
Questions
What growing zone is Jacksonville, NC?
Jacksonville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8a.
When is the last frost in Jacksonville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Jacksonville is March 31. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 15.
When can I plant tomatoes in Jacksonville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 7 – Apr 14. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Jacksonville Eoc, NC (USC00314471), 5.4 km (3.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 5 m, based on 14 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.