When to plant in Smithfield, NC
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Smithfield, North Carolina — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Smithfield, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
SMITHFIELD · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Smithfield’s own odds, recorded at SMITHFIELD.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 28 | Apr 12 | Mar 26 | Oct 14 | Oct 28 | Nov 9 |
| 32°F | Apr 14 | Mar 29 | Mar 10 | Oct 22 | Nov 5 | Nov 21 |
| 28°F | Apr 5 | Mar 16 | Feb 21 | Nov 1 | Nov 17 | Dec 6 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Smithfield, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Smithfield planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Smithfield, NC?
Plan for the last spring frost in Smithfield around March 29 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Smithfield, NC?
The first fall frost in Smithfield typically arrives around November 5 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Smithfield in?
Smithfield is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Smithfield?
There are roughly 221 frost-free days in Smithfield (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 29 to the first fall frost near November 5.
When should I plant tomatoes in Smithfield?
In Smithfield, start tomato seeds indoors around February 1–February 15, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 5 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Smithfield
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Smithfield’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Clayton · 17 km
- Wendell · 30 km
- Garner · 30 km
- Knightdale · 33 km
- Goldsboro · 38 km
- Fuquay-Varina · 39 km
- Raleigh · 43 km
- Wilson · 45 km
Frost dates recorded at SMITHFIELD, 1 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Smithfield, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00317994. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/smithfield.