Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 28586 (Vanceboro, NC)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Washington Wwtp 4W, NC (17 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)237 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
67°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Tidewater #1 (48 mi).
4-inch depth
68°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 64°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Tidewater #1 (48 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 28586 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 68°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about May 7 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 20–Oct 18
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 4–Nov 1
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 4–Nov 1
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 15: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 7 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 3 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 15 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 1 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 22 | Nov 15 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 8 | Nov 27 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 28586
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 15). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 11–25 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 11–25 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 1–22 (transplant) Feb 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 11 (transplant) Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 8–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) Aug 9–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Feb 22–Mar 22 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (transplant) Aug 9–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 11–25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 11–25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 11–25 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 22–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 8–22 | Mar 8–29 (transplant) Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 15–Mar 29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 22–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 25–Feb 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 4–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 8–22 (transplant) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 12–May 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 8–22 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 28–Jan 11 | Mar 29–Apr 5 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 8–22 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 11–25 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 22–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Washington Wwtp 4W, NC (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00319100), elevation 10 ft, 16.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Bern Craven Co AP, NC | 19 mi | Mar 23 | Nov 15 |
| Perrytown, NC | 19 mi | Mar 20 | Nov 20 |
| Reelsboro, NC | 20 mi | Mar 21 | Nov 17 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 3 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 28586
When is the last frost in 28586?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 28586 is March 22. For a more cautious planting date, use April 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 28586?
The average first fall freeze is November 15. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 3.
What hardiness zone is 28586?
ZIP 28586 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 28586 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
28527 27817 Cypress Landing 28523 Cove City 27837 Grimesland 28530 Grifton 28526 Dover 27814 28513 Ayden
Other ZIP codes in Craven County
28519 28523 28526 28527 28532 28533 28560 28562 All Craven County frost dates · North Carolina frost dates
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