Tarboro, NC planting zone & frost dates
Tarboro is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 30 and the first fall frost around November 9, for a growing season of about 226 days.
Planting calendar for Tarboro
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 30) 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 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 14 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 9).
Useful for zone 8a 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 12 | Mar 30 | Apr 10 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 28 | Nov 9 | Oct 29 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 10, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 29. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 15.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Tarboro
- 27886 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Rocky Mount zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- Greenville zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
- Wilson zone 8a, last frost Mar 22
- Roanoke Rapids zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- Kinston zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Goldsboro zone 8a, last frost Mar 28
- Smithfield zone 8a, last frost Mar 29
- New Bern zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
Questions
What growing zone is Tarboro, NC?
Tarboro is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Tarboro?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Tarboro is March 30. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 10.
When can I plant tomatoes in Tarboro?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 6 – Apr 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Tarboro 1 S, NC (USC00318500), 1.4 km (0.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 11 m, based on 25 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.