Tarboro 1 S, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Tarboro 1 S garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 30
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 9
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
224 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 12 Mar 30 Apr 10
First fall frost Nov 28 Nov 9 Oct 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 15 · first Nov 23

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the TARBORO 1 S 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 Tarboro 1 S

Computed from Tarboro 1 S'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 Feb 2 – Feb 16 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🫑 Peppers Jan 19 – Feb 2 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🥬 Lettuce Feb 16 – Mar 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 2 – Mar 30
🫛 Peas Feb 16 – Mar 2
🥕 Carrots Mar 9 – Mar 30
🥦 Broccoli Feb 9 – Feb 23 Mar 9 – Mar 23
🥬 Kale Feb 16 – Mar 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 2 – Mar 16
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 2 – Mar 9 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🥒 Zucchini Mar 2 – Mar 9 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 6 – Apr 13
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 6 – Apr 13
🌿 Basil Feb 16 – Mar 2 Apr 6 – Apr 13 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 28 – Oct 26

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 Tarboro 1 S's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Tarboro 1 S

With roughly 224 frost-free days, Tarboro 1 S 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 9 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Tarboro 1 S, NC?

The average last spring frost in Tarboro 1 S is around Mar 30, 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 Tarboro 1 S, NC?

The average first fall frost in Tarboro 1 S arrives around Nov 9. 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 Tarboro 1 S?

About 224 frost-free days on average, from Mar 30 to Nov 9. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Tarboro 1 S 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.