Kinston, NC planting zone & frost dates
Kinston is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 25 and the first fall frost around November 11, for a growing season of about 232 days.
Planting calendar for Kinston
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 25) 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 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 14 – Jan 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 14 – Jan 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 8 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 14 – Jan 28 Transplant outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 14 – Jan 28 Transplant outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 8 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 8 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 8 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 16 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 11).
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 9 | Mar 25 | Apr 7 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 2 | Nov 11 | Oct 29 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 7, 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 13.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Kinston
- 28501 zone 8b
- 28502 zone 8a
- 28503 zone 8b
- 28504 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Greenville zone 8a, last frost Mar 27
- Goldsboro zone 8a, last frost Mar 28
- Jacksonville zone 8b, last frost Mar 31
- New Bern zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Wilson zone 8a, last frost Mar 22
- Piney Green zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Tarboro zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Rocky Mount zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
Questions
What growing zone is Kinston, NC?
Kinston is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8b.
When is the last frost in Kinston?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Kinston is March 25. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Kinston?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 1 – Apr 8. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Kinston Ag Rsch, NC (USC00314689), 4.0 km (2.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 18 m, based on 21 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.