Elizabeth City, NC planting zone & frost dates
Elizabeth City is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 27 and the first fall frost around November 17, for a growing season of about 238 days.
Planting calendar for Elizabeth City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 27) 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: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 16 – Jan 30 Transplant outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 16 – Jan 30 Transplant outdoors: Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 16 – Jan 30 Transplant outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 16 – Jan 30 Transplant outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 3 – Apr 10 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 22 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 17).
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 7 | Mar 27 | Apr 18 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 5 | Nov 17 | Nov 3 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 18, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 3. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 12.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Elizabeth City
- 27906 zone 8a
- 27907 zone 8a
- 27909 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Greenville zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
- Tarboro zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Roanoke Rapids zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- New Bern zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Havelock zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
- Rocky Mount zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- Kinston zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Wilson zone 8a, last frost Mar 22
Questions
What growing zone is Elizabeth City, NC?
Elizabeth City 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 Elizabeth City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Elizabeth City is March 27. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 18.
When can I plant tomatoes in Elizabeth City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 3 – Apr 10. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Elizabeth City, NC (USC00312719), 4.5 km (2.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 2 m, based on 26 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.