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Wilson, NC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 27893 · elevation 34′ · NOAA & USDA data

Wilson is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 236 days between the average last spring frost (March 22) and first fall frost (November 12). The warmest month is July (avg high 90.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 32.7°F). It averages 50.3″ of precipitation a year and 1.9″ 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
8a
min temp 10 to 15°F
Last spring frost
March 22
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 12
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
236 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 90.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Wilson

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Wilson 3 Sw, NC (2.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 52.1 32.7 42.4 3.8 0.8
February 55.4 34.3 44.8 3 0.4
March 62.9 40.4 51.6 4.2 0.1
April 72.5 49.2 60.8 3.9 0
May 79.7 58.3 69 3.9 0
June 86.8 66.9 76.8 4.1 0
July 90.2 71.1 80.6 5.8 0
August 88.2 69.7 79 5.3 0
September 82.7 64 73.4 6.1 0
October 73.4 51.6 62.5 3.4 0
November 63.5 41.1 52.3 3.3 0
December 55.5 35.4 45.5 3.6 0.6

What to plant when in Wilson

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: February 8 · Transplant out: March 29
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: January 25 · Transplant out: April 5
CucumberswarmDirect sow: March 29
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: March 29
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: March 29
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: March 29
BasilwarmTransplant out: March 29
PeascoolSow (spring): February 15 · Sow (fall): September 17
SpinachcoolSow (spring): February 8 · Sow (fall): September 17
LettucecoolSow (spring): February 22 · Sow (fall): September 17
KalecoolTransplant (spring): March 1 · Sow (fall): September 3
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): March 8
CarrotscoolSow (spring): March 1 · Sow (fall): September 3
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): February 22
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: March 8
RadishescoolSow (spring): February 22 · Sow (fall): October 1

Dates are computed from Wilson'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

Rocky Mount, NCGreenville, NCRaleigh, NCCary, NCApex, NCDurham, NCChapel Hill, NCJacksonville, 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 — Wilson 3 Sw, NC, 2.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Wilson 3 Sw, NC, 2.4 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.