When is the last frost in Jacksonville, NC?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Jacksonville is around March 31, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Jacksonville Eoc, NC station (6.6 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Jacksonville?

The average first fall frost in Jacksonville, NC is around November 8, giving roughly a 224-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Jacksonville, NC?

Jacksonville is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 10 to 15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Jacksonville?

In Jacksonville, NC the warmest month is July (avg high 89.3°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 35.2°F). It averages about 56.5″ of precipitation a year and 0.6″ of snow.

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Jacksonville, NC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 28540 · elevation 8′ · NOAA & USDA data

Jacksonville is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 224 days between the average last spring frost (March 31) and first fall frost (November 8). The warmest month is July (avg high 89.3°F); the coldest is January (avg low 35.2°F). It averages 56.5″ of precipitation a year and 0.6″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 10 to 15°F

Last spring frost

March 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 8

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

224 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 89.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Jacksonville

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at New River Mcaf, NC (7.2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	56	35.2	45.6	4	0.4
February	59.3	37.5	48.4	3.5	0.2
March	65.8	43.1	54.5	3.8	0
April	74	51.8	62.9	3.4	0
May	80.4	60.5	70.4	4.2	0
June	86.5	68.5	77.5	5.2	0
July	89.3	72.5	80.9	6.2	0
August	87.8	71.4	79.6	7.5	0
September	83.3	66.5	74.9	7.5	0
October	75	54.8	64.9	4.1	0
November	66.2	44	55.1	3.6	0
December	59	38.4	48.7	3.7	0

What to plant when in Jacksonville

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 17 · Transplant out: April 7
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 3 · Transplant out: April 14
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 7
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 24 · Sow (fall): September 13
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 17 · Sow (fall): September 13
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 13
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): August 30
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): August 30
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 27

Dates are computed from Jacksonville's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in North Carolina

Wilmington, NC Greenville, NC Wilson, NC Fayetteville, NC Rocky Mount, NC Raleigh, NC Cary, NC Apex, NC

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Jacksonville Eoc, NC, 6.6 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: New River Mcaf, NC, 7.2 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.