Planting Calendar for ZIP 27960
Based on your local frost dates - last spring frost around Mar 1, first fall frost around Dec 20 - here is when to plant 79 common crops near ZIP 27960.
Last spring frost
Mar 1
First fall frost
Dec 20
Hardiness zone
9a
Vegetables
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Jan 18 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peppers | Jan 4 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cucumbers | Feb 8 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | Oct 12 |
| Zucchini | Feb 8 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | Oct 17 |
| Summer Squash | Feb 8 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | Oct 15 |
| Winter Squash | Feb 8 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Pumpkins | Feb 8 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Green Beans | - | Mar 1 (Direct sow) | Oct 12 |
| Sweet Corn | - | Mar 8 (Direct sow) | - |
| Melons | Feb 8 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Watermelon | Feb 8 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Okra | - | Mar 15 (Direct sow) | - |
| Eggplant | Jan 4 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 | Feb 1 (Transplant out) | Oct 17 |
| Spinach | - | Jan 18 (Direct sow) | Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 18 | Feb 8 (Transplant out) | Oct 12 |
| Peas | - | Jan 18 (Direct sow) | Oct 7 |
| Carrots | - | Feb 8 (Direct sow) | Sep 27 |
| Beets | - | Feb 1 (Direct sow) | Oct 12 |
| Radishes | - | Feb 1 (Direct sow) | Nov 8 |
| Broccoli | Jan 18 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Oct 2 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 18 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Sep 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 18 | Feb 8 (Transplant out) | Sep 27 |
| Onions | Dec 21 | Feb 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Potatoes | - | Feb 15 (Direct sow) | - |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Oct 12 |
| Sweet Potatoes | - | Mar 22 (Direct sow) | - |
| Brussels Sprouts | Jan 18 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Aug 28 |
| Celery | Dec 21 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Leeks | Dec 21 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Aug 8 |
| Turnips | - | Feb 15 (Direct sow) | Oct 17 |
| Rutabaga | - | Mar 1 (Direct sow) | Sep 2 |
| Parsnips | - | Feb 15 (Direct sow) | Aug 8 |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 1 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Oct 12 |
| Collard Greens | Jan 18 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Oct 2 |
| Mustard Greens | - | Feb 15 (Direct sow) | Oct 22 |
| Arugula | - | Feb 15 (Direct sow) | Oct 27 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 1 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Oct 17 |
| Green Onions | - | Feb 15 (Direct sow) | Oct 7 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 18 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fennel | Feb 1 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Sep 17 |
| Popcorn | Mar 1 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Mar 1 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | Sep 17 |
| Lima Beans | Mar 1 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Edamame | Mar 1 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peanuts | Mar 1 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Globe Artichoke | Jan 4 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Sep 7 |
| Horseradish | Mar 1 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Ground Cherries | Jan 18 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Radicchio | Jan 25 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Sep 27 |
| Endive | Jan 25 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Sep 7 |
| Watercress | Feb 8 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Oct 7 |
| Sorrel | Jan 18 | Feb 8 (Transplant out) | Oct 7 |
| Sunchokes | Mar 1 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Malabar Spinach | Jan 18 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Amaranth Greens | Feb 8 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | Oct 22 |
| Luffa Gourd | Jan 18 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| New Zealand Spinach | Feb 1 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fava Beans | Mar 1 | Feb 1 (Transplant out) | Sep 12 |
| Chayote | Feb 1 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Corn Salad | Mar 1 | Feb 1 (Transplant out) | Oct 7 |
| Bitter Melon | Feb 1 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cardoon | Jan 18 | Mar 1 (Transplant out) | - |
Herbs
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Jan 18 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cilantro | - | Feb 15 (Direct sow) | Oct 17 |
| Parsley | Jan 4 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | Sep 22 |
| Dill | - | Mar 8 (Direct sow) | Oct 7 |
| Lemon Balm | Jan 18 | Mar 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Borage | Mar 1 | Mar 1 (Transplant out) | Oct 12 |
| Chervil | Mar 1 | Feb 8 (Transplant out) | Oct 12 |
| Lemongrass | Jan 4 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Summer Savory | Jan 18 | Mar 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Marjoram | Jan 18 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lovage | Jan 18 | Mar 1 (Transplant out) | Sep 7 |
| Anise Hyssop | Jan 4 | Mar 1 (Transplant out) | - |
| Shiso | Jan 18 | Mar 8 (Transplant out) | - |
| Stevia | Jan 4 | Mar 15 (Transplant out) | - |
| Chamomile | Jan 18 | Feb 15 (Transplant out) | Oct 2 |
| Tarragon | Mar 1 | Mar 1 (Transplant out) | - |
How to read this calendar
Start seeds indoors is when to sow in trays inside so seedlings are ready to transplant. Plant outside is when to transplant seedlings or direct-sow seed, based on frost tolerance. Fall planting by is the latest date to start a fall crop and still harvest before the first fall frost. Tender crops wait until after the last spring frost; hardy crops can go out earlier.
Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Ocracoke, Nc, 2.5 miles away. Averages for planning, not a forecast. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.