Smithfield, NC planting zone & frost dates
Smithfield is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 29 and the first fall frost around November 5, for a growing season of about 220 days.
Planting calendar for Smithfield
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 29) 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 1 – Feb 15 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 18 – Feb 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 10 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 5).
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 10 | Mar 29 | Apr 14 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 21 | Nov 5 | Oct 22 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 14, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 22. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 16.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Smithfield
- 27577 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Clayton zone 8a, last frost Apr 7
- Knightdale zone 8a, last frost Apr 7
- Garner zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- Goldsboro zone 8a, last frost Mar 28
- Raleigh zone 8a, last frost Mar 28
- Fuquay-Varina zone 8a, last frost Apr 6
- Wilson zone 8a, last frost Mar 22
- Wake Forest zone 8a, last frost Apr 4
Questions
What growing zone is Smithfield, NC?
Smithfield 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 Smithfield?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Smithfield is March 29. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 14.
When can I plant tomatoes in Smithfield?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 5 – Apr 12. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Smithfield, NC (USC00317994), 1.1 km (0.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 46 m, based on 20 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.