Kinston Ag Rsch, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Kinston Ag Rsch garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 25
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
231 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 9 Mar 25 Apr 7
First fall frost Dec 2 Nov 11 Oct 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 13 · first Nov 26

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the KINSTON AG RSCH station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Kinston Ag Rsch

Computed from Kinston Ag Rsch's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 28 – Feb 11 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🫑 Peppers Jan 14 – Jan 28 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🥬 Lettuce Feb 11 – Feb 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11 Feb 25 – Mar 25
🫛 Peas Feb 11 – Feb 25
🥕 Carrots Mar 4 – Mar 25
🥦 Broccoli Feb 4 – Feb 18 Mar 4 – Mar 18
🥬 Kale Feb 11 – Feb 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11 Feb 25 – Mar 11
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 25 – Mar 4 Apr 1 – Apr 8 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🥒 Zucchini Feb 25 – Mar 4 Apr 1 – Apr 8 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 1 – Apr 8
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 1 – Apr 8
🌿 Basil Feb 11 – Feb 25 Apr 1 – Apr 8 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 30 – Oct 28

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Kinston Ag Rsch's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Kinston Ag Rsch

With roughly 231 frost-free days, Kinston Ag Rsch gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 11 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Kinston Ag Rsch, NC?

The average last spring frost in Kinston Ag Rsch is around Mar 25, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Kinston Ag Rsch, NC?

The average first fall frost in Kinston Ag Rsch arrives around Nov 11. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Kinston Ag Rsch?

About 231 frost-free days on average, from Mar 25 to Nov 11. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Kinston Ag Rsch in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.