When to plant in Wilmington, NC
USDA Zone 8bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Wilmington, North Carolina — all computed from Wilmington's nearest NOAA weather station.
With about 246 frost-free days, Wilmington supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Wilmington, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
WILMINGTON INTL AP · 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 Wilmington’s own odds, recorded at WILMINGTON INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 13 | Mar 30 | Mar 14 | Oct 27 | Nov 8 | Nov 22 |
| 32°F | Apr 4 | Mar 19 | Feb 26 | Nov 5 | Nov 20 | Dec 6 |
| 28°F | Mar 23 | Mar 2 | Feb 4 | Nov 14 | Dec 3 | Jan 1 |
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 Wilmington, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 13 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.
Wilmington planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Wilmington, NC?
Wilmington's average last spring frost falls near March 19 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Wilmington, NC?
In Wilmington, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 20 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Wilmington in?
Wilmington is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Wilmington?
There are roughly 246 frost-free days in Wilmington (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 19 to the first fall frost near November 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Wilmington?
In Wilmington, start tomato seeds indoors around January 22–February 5, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 26 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Wilmington
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Wilmington’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Myrtle Grove · 9 km
- Murraysville · 10 km
- Leland · 14 km
- Jacksonville · 73 km
- Little River · 79 km
- Piney Green · 82 km
- North Myrtle Beach · 87 km
- Carolina Forest · 107 km
Frost dates recorded at WILMINGTON INTL AP, 7 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 Wilmington, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013748. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/wilmington.