Last frost date in New Bern, NC
The average last frost in New Bern is March 23. By April 7 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 15, which leaves 237 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 1 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 7
- Average first frost
- Nov 15
- Frost-free season
- 237 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 12
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2243°
- FriOct 2350°
- SatOct 2452°
- SunOct 2551°
- MonOct 2649°
- TueOct 2754°
- WedOct 2857°
Planting calendar for New Bern
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across North Carolina.
TomatoesMar 30–Apr 13
PumpkinsApr 6–Apr 20
SunflowersMar 23–Apr 13
CucumbersApr 6–Apr 13
CornMar 30–Apr 13
Sweet potatoesApr 13–Apr 27
WatermelonApr 6–Apr 20
Green beansMar 30–Apr 20
ZucchiniMar 30–Apr 13
OkraApr 13–Apr 27
PeppersApr 6–Apr 20
BasilMar 30–Apr 13
Butternut squashMar 30–Apr 13
CantaloupeApr 6–Apr 20
EggplantApr 6–Apr 20
PotatoesFeb 23–Mar 9
OnionsFeb 9–Mar 2
CarrotsMar 2–Apr 6
LettuceMar 9–Mar 30
BroccoliFeb 23–Mar 9
BeetsFeb 23–Apr 6
PeasFeb 9–Feb 23
CabbageFeb 23–Mar 9
RadishesFeb 16–Mar 30
Brussels sproutsMar 9–Mar 23
SpinachFeb 9–Mar 2
CilantroMar 9–Mar 30
KaleFeb 23–Mar 9
Collard greensFeb 23–Mar 9
TurnipsFeb 23–Mar 9
DillMar 23–Apr 6
CeleryMar 30–Apr 6
CauliflowerMar 9–Mar 23
LeeksMar 9–Mar 23
Swiss chardMar 9–Apr 6
ParsleyMar 9–Mar 30
Tulip bulbsNov 1–Dec 6
GarlicOct 25–Nov 29
Daffodil bulbsOct 18–Nov 29
StrawberriesFeb 23–Mar 9
AsparagusFeb 23–Mar 9Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 6 | Mar 23 | Apr 7 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 | Dec 1 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Feb 20 | Mar 12 | Mar 28 | Nov 10 | Nov 28 | Dec 21 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station NEW Bern Craven County Airport (USW00093719) sits 2.2 miles from the center of New Bern at 19 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in New Bern, NC?
The average last frost date in New Bern is March 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 7.
When is the first frost in New Bern?
The first frost in fall usually comes around November 15. One year in ten it arrives before November 1.
How long is the growing season in New Bern?
About 237 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in New Bern?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 30 to April 13. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in North Carolina
- JacksonvilleMar 23
- GreenvilleMar 27
- GoldsboroMar 15
- WilsonMar 22
- Rocky MountMar 31
- WilmingtonMar 19
- LelandMar 19
- ClaytonApr 7
- KnightdaleApr 7
- GarnerApr 1
- Wake ForestApr 4
- RaleighMar 28