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Planting Calendar for Masonboro, NC

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on November 8 (at WILMINGTON 7 SE, NC climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Sep 20-Oct 25
Moon Sep 21-Oct 6
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Aug 16-Sep 13
Moon Aug 16-22, Sep 8-13
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 30-Sep 20
Moon Aug 30-Sep 7
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Aug 9-16
Moon Aug 9
Frost Aug 30-Sep 13
Moon Aug 30-Sep 7
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jul 19-Aug 2
Moon Jul 24-Aug 2
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Aug 9-16
Moon Aug 9
Frost Aug 30-Sep 6
Moon Aug 30-Sep 6
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Aug 23-30
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Aug 2-9
Moon Aug 2-9
Frost Aug 16-23
Moon Aug 23
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Aug 16-Sep 13
Moon Aug 23-Sep 7
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Aug 9-23
Moon Aug 9
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Nov 22-Dec 6
Moon Dec 5-6
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Aug 23-Sep 6
Moon Aug 23-Sep 6
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 30-Sep 13
Moon Aug 30-Sep 7
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Sep 6-27
Moon Sep 6-7, Sep 21-27
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 30-Sep 13
Moon Aug 30-Sep 7
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Sep 6-27
Moon Sep 6-7, Sep 21-27
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 30-Sep 13
Moon Aug 30-Sep 7
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 27-Oct 11
Moon Oct 7-11
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Sep 20-Oct 11
Moon Sep 21-Oct 6
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 30-Sep 13
Moon Aug 30-Sep 7
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Sep 6-20
Moon Sep 8-20
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on March 29 (at WILMINGTON 7 SE, NC climate station, elevation 29 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Jan 31-Feb 14
Moon Jan 31-Feb 12
Frost Mar 7-22
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Oct 11
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 15-28
Mar 29
BasilFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 12
Frost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 12
Sep 27
BeetsN/AFrost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 15-28
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Apr 12
Bell PeppersFrost Jan 17-31
Moon Jan 29-31
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
N/AAug 16
Bok ChoyFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
May 10
BroccoliFrost Jan 31-Feb 14
Moon Jan 31-Feb 12
Frost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Sep 6
Brussels SproutsFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Aug 2
CabbageFrost Jan 31-Feb 14
Moon Jan 31-Feb 12
Frost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Apr 5
CantaloupesFrost Mar 7-22
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Frost Apr 5-12
Moon Apr 5-12
Aug 2
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Mar 15
Aug 30
CauliflowerFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Mar 22-Apr 5
Moon Mar 29-Apr 5
N/AAug 23
CeleryFrost Jan 3-17
Moon Jan 3-13
Frost Apr 5-19
Moon Apr 5-12
Frost Mar 29
Moon Mar 29
Aug 30
ChivesFrost Jan 31-Feb 14
Moon Jan 31-Feb 12
Frost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Sep 13
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Apr 19
CollardsFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Aug 30
CucumbersFrost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Apr 5-19
Moon Apr 5-12
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Aug 30
DillN/AN/AFrost Mar 22-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Sep 13
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Aug 2
EggplantsFrost Jan 31-Feb 14
Moon Jan 31-Feb 12
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
N/AAug 30
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Apr 12
FennelFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Apr 5-12
Moon Apr 5-12
Frost Mar 29-Apr 12
Moon Mar 29-Apr 12
Aug 23
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 5-26
Moon Apr 5-12
Aug 30
Honeydew MelonsFrost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Aug 9
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Jan 17-31
Moon Jan 29-31
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
N/A
KaleFrost Jan 31-Feb 14
Moon Jan 31-Feb 12
Frost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Apr 12
KohlrabiFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Apr 12
LeeksFrost Jan 17-31
Moon Jan 29-31
Frost Mar 7-22
Moon Mar 7-14
N/AJul 26
LettuceFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Apr 12
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Feb 28-Mar 14
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Frost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 12
Aug 30
OnionsN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Mar 15
N/AAug 2
OreganoFrost Jan 17-Feb 14
Moon Jan 29-Feb 12
Frost Apr 5-19
Moon Apr 5-12
N/AAug 30
ParsleyFrost Jan 17-31
Moon Jan 29-31
Frost Apr 5-19
Moon Apr 5-12
Frost Feb 28-Apr 5
Moon Feb 28-Mar 14, Mar 29-Apr 5
Aug 23
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 7
Aug 2
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost Apr 19-May 3
Moon Apr 19-26
PeasN/AN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Apr 12
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Mar 15
Aug 30
PumpkinsFrost Mar 7-22
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Jul 26
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 7
Sep 13
RosemaryFrost Jan 3-17
Moon Jan 3-13
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
N/ASep 13
SageFrost Jan 31-Feb 14
Moon Jan 31-Feb 12
Frost Apr 5-19
Moon Apr 5-12
N/AAug 23
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 15
Moon Mar 15
Aug 2
SpinachFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Feb 28-Mar 7
Moon Feb 28-Mar 7
Apr 12
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 12
Aug 23
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 13-26
Jul 26
Swiss ChardFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Mar 15-29
Moon Mar 29
Frost Mar 7-29
Moon Mar 7-14, Mar 29
Apr 12
ThymeFrost Jan 17-31
Moon Jan 29-31
Frost Apr 5-12
Moon Apr 5-12
N/AAug 16
TomatillosFrost Feb 14-28
Moon Feb 27-28
Frost Apr 12-26
Moon Apr 12
N/AAug 23
TomatoesFrost Jan 31-Feb 14
Moon Jan 31-Feb 12
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
N/AAug 9
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Feb 28-Mar 7
Oct 11
WatermelonsFrost Mar 7-22
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Frost Apr 5-12
Moon Apr 5-12
Aug 9
Winter SquashFrost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Apr 5-19
Moon Apr 5-12
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Jul 19
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Mar 7-15
Moon Mar 7-14
Frost Apr 5-19
Moon Apr 5-12
Frost Apr 12-19
Moon Apr 12
Sep 6
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