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North Carolina · Coastal Plain

Eastern North Carolina planting calendar

The low-lying eastern part of the state, with the earliest spring freeze dates and the longest fall planting season of the three calendars.

Last reviewed by GardenSproutly against the sources listed on this page.

About this calendar

This calendar follows NC State Extension's planting calendar for eastern North Carolina (AG-756-02), which broadly covers the Coastal Plain. Most crops share the same dates as the central North Carolina calendar. The eastern calendar adds October 1 sowings of arugula, bush peas, cilantro, kale, leaf lettuce, mustard, parsley, parsnips, and snap beans, late-fall planting of asparagus crowns, and spring transplanting of cauliflower. The central calendar has a few dates the eastern one doesn't, such as April 1 pea sowings and early-summer bush snap beans.[1]

At the eastern weather stations listed below, the average last spring freeze falls in March, earlier than at the Piedmont and mountain stations. Check the station closest to you before planting frost-tender crops.

Freeze dates nearby

Average dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze[2]. Use the station closest to your garden in elevation and location.

Average freeze dates for Eastern North Carolina weather stations
Station (county)ElevationAvg. last spring freezeAvg. first fall freeze
Wilmington International Airport (New Hanover)Records 1933–201933 ftMarch 17November 18
New Bern (Craven)Records 1948–201919 ftMarch 23November 14
Kinston Agricultural Research Station (Lenoir)Records 1966–201960 ftMarch 28November 6
Greenville (Pitt)Records 1913–201932 ftMarch 30November 4
Fayetteville (Cumberland)Records 1899–201996 ftMarch 31November 4

Before you plant

  • Freezing temperatures, high temperatures, humidity, and strong sun are all common in eastern North Carolina and can stress plants. Choose varieties that tolerate temperature extremes, time plantings to avoid those extremes, or plan to protect plants.[1]
  • Time plantings around known pest seasons. For example, delay fall planting until whitefly populations decline with cooler temperatures, and delay spring planting until soils warm to reduce fungal and bacterial disease problems.[1]
  • Spun-woven row covers can let you begin earlier in spring and continue later into fall, and plastic mulches can help produce vegetables earlier in the season.[1]
  • Cool-season crops tolerate some frost and suit spring and fall. Warm-season crops are generally planted after the last frost date.[3]

Planting chart

Each square is one date column in the NC State Extension chart: the 1st or the 15th of the month. Dates are for planting outdoors. For transplants, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the transplant date.[1]

On small screens, scroll the chart sideways. Every row also lists its planting dates in text.

  • SSow seeds outdoors
  • TSet out transplants
  • BPlant bulbs or cloves
  • CPlant crowns
  • TuPlant tubers

Cool-season vegetables

Cool-season vegetables: Eastern North Carolina planting chart
Crop and planting windowsDays to harvestSpacing (in.)
BeetsSeeds: Mar 1 – Apr 1; Jul 15 – Sep 155–602
BroccoliTransplants: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 1T = 70–8018
Brussels sproutsTransplants: Jul 1 – Aug 15. Start seeds indoorsT = 40–50; S = 90–10014–18
CabbageTransplants: Feb 1 – Apr 1; Jul 15 – Sep 1. Start seeds indoorsT = 63–75; S = 90–12012
CarrotsSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 15; Jun 15 – Sep 175–802
CauliflowerSeeds: Aug 1 – Sep 15. Transplants: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 15T = 55–65; S = 85–9518
Collard greensSeeds: Jul 15 – Sep 1. Transplants: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Jul 15 – Sep 1T = 32–72; S = 60–10018
KaleSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Oct 1. Transplants: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15T = 14–22; S = 40–506
KohlrabiSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1. Transplants: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1T = 22–32; S = 50–604
Lettuce, headSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 1; Aug 15 – Sep 1. Transplants: Mar 15 – Apr 15; Sep 15 – Oct 1T = 45–60; S = 70–8510
Lettuce, leafSeeds: Feb 1 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Oct 1. Transplants: Feb 1 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15T = 15–25; S = 40–506
Mustard greensSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Oct 130–402
Onions, bulbSeeds: Aug 1 – Mar 15. Bulbs: Mar 1 – Mar 15B = 75–105; S = 90–1204
Onions, greenSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 15; around Sep 1. Transplants: Mar 1 – Mar 15; Aug 15 – Sep 1T = 42–56; S = 60–701–2
Peas, bush (English)Seeds: Jan 1 – Mar 15; Aug 1 – Oct 154–604
Peas, vining (English)Seeds: Jan 1 – Mar 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1554–722–3
Potatoes, IrishTubers: Feb 15 – Mar 15Tu = 95–12010
RadishesSeeds: Feb 1 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 120–251
RutabagaSeeds: Feb 1 – Apr 1; Jul 1 – Sep 1570–804
SpinachSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Oct 150–606
Swiss chardSeeds: Mar 1 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1. Transplants: Mar 1 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1T = 32–42; S = 60–706
TurnipsSeeds: Feb 1 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 155–602

Warm-season vegetables and melons

Warm-season vegetables and melons: Eastern North Carolina planting chart
Crop and planting windowsDays to harvestSpacing (in.)
Beans, lima (bush)Seeds: Apr 15 – Jul 1565–806
Beans, lima (pole)Seeds: Apr 15 – Jun 1; around Jul 1575–956
Beans, snap (bush)Seeds: Mar 15 – Jun 1; Aug 1 – Oct 150–552
Beans, snap (pole)Seeds: Apr 1 – Oct 165–706
Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Seeds: Apr 15 – Jul 1. Transplants: Apr 15 – Jul 1T = 57–62; S = 85–9024
CucumbersSeeds: Apr 15 – Aug 1. Transplants: Apr 15 – Aug 1T = 28–37; S = 56–6512
EggplantTransplants: Apr 15 – Jun 1; Aug 1 – Aug 15. Start seeds indoorsT = 90–95; S = 150–15524
PeppersTransplants: Apr 15 – Jun 1; around Aug 1. Start seeds indoorsT = 75–80; S = 145–15018
Squash, summerSeeds: Apr 1 – Aug 1. Transplants: Apr 1 – Aug 1T = 30–40; S = 50–6024
Squash, winterSeeds: Apr 15 – Aug 1. Transplants: Apr 15 – Aug 1T = 42–67; S = 70–9536
Sweet cornSeeds: Mar 15 – May 1585–9012
Sweet potatoesTransplants: May 1 – Jul 1T = 95–12510
TomatoesTransplants: Apr 15 – Jul 1; around Aug 1. Start seeds indoorsT = 75–85; S = 125–13518
WatermelonSeeds: Apr 15 – Jun 15. Transplants: Apr 15 – Jun 15T = 60–72; S = 90–10060

Other vegetables

Other vegetables: Eastern North Carolina planting chart
Crop and planting windowsDays to harvestSpacing (in.)
Artichokes, globeTransplants: Mar 15 – Apr 15T = 1 year30
Artichokes, JerusalemTubers: Mar 15 – Apr 15Tu = 6–8 months9–12
ArugulaSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 15; Aug 1 – Oct 140–506–9
AsparagusCrowns: Feb 15 – Mar 15; Nov 15 – Dec 15C = 2 years18
Cabbage, ChineseSeeds: around Mar 15; Aug 1 – Aug 15. Transplants: around Mar 15; Sep 15 – Oct 1T = 45–55; S = 75–8512
CeleryTransplants: Feb 15 – Mar 15; Jun 15 – Aug 1. Start seeds indoorsT = 40–70; S = 120–1506–8
Fennel, FlorenceSeeds: Mar 1 – Apr 15; Jul 1 – Aug 1560–906–12
GarlicBulbs: Sep 15 – Nov 15B = 180–2104–6
LeeksSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15. Transplants: Feb 15 – Jun 15T = 50–80; S = 120–1504
OkraSeeds: May 1 – May 15; Aug 1 – Aug 15. Transplants: May 1 – May 15T = 18–28; S = 60–7012
Pac choi (bok choy)Transplants: around Mar 15; Aug 15 – Sep 15. Start seeds indoorsT = 30–75; S = 45–907–12
ParsnipsSeeds: Feb 15 – May 1; Aug 1 – Oct 1100–1303–4
Peas, field/southernSeeds: Mar 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Aug 1555–654
PumpkinSeeds: Apr 15 – Jul 1115–12048

Herbs and other crops

Herbs and other crops: Eastern North Carolina planting chart
Crop and planting windowsDays to harvestSpacing (in.)
BasilSeeds: May 1 – Jul 15. Transplants: May 1 – Jul 15T = 14–35; S = 50–752–8
CilantroSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 15; Sep 15 – Oct 150–552–4
DillSeeds: around Mar 15; Aug 1 – Sep 140–552–4
ParsleySeeds: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Oct 1. Transplants: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 15T = 33; S = 759–12
PeanutsSeeds: May 1 – May 15145–1606–8
SunflowerSeeds: Mar 15 – May 155–1109–24

Cool- and warm-season groupings follow the Extension Gardener Handbook[3]. Crops it doesn't classify are listed separately.

What to plant each month in Eastern North Carolina

Crops with a recommended planting date on the 1st or 15th of each month.

January · 3 crops
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
February · 26 crops
  • Arugula (seeds)
  • Asparagus (crowns)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Cauliflower (transplants)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Cilantro (seeds)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (seeds)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Onions, green (seeds)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Potatoes, Irish (tubers)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Turnips (seeds)
March · 38 crops
  • Artichokes, globe (transplants)
  • Artichokes, Jerusalem (tubers)
  • Arugula (seeds)
  • Asparagus (crowns)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cabbage, Chinese (seeds, transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Cauliflower (transplants)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Cilantro (seeds)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Dill (seeds)
  • Fennel, Florence (seeds)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds, bulbs)
  • Onions, green (seeds, transplants)
  • Pac choi (bok choy) (transplants)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Potatoes, Irish (tubers)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Sunflower (seeds)
  • Sweet corn (seeds)
  • Swiss chard (seeds, transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
April · 37 crops
  • Artichokes, globe (transplants)
  • Artichokes, Jerusalem (tubers)
  • Beans, lima (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, lima (pole) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cantaloupe (muskmelon) (seeds, transplants)
  • Cauliflower (transplants)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Eggplant (transplants)
  • Fennel, Florence (seeds)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (transplants)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peppers (transplants)
  • Pumpkin (seeds)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Sunflower (seeds)
  • Sweet corn (seeds)
  • Swiss chard (seeds, transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
  • Watermelon (seeds, transplants)
May · 29 crops
  • Basil (seeds, transplants)
  • Beans, lima (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, lima (pole) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Cantaloupe (muskmelon) (seeds, transplants)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Eggplant (transplants)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Okra (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peanuts (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peppers (transplants)
  • Pumpkin (seeds)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Sunflower (seeds)
  • Sweet corn (seeds)
  • Sweet potatoes (transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
  • Watermelon (seeds, transplants)
June · 26 crops
  • Basil (seeds, transplants)
  • Beans, lima (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, lima (pole) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Cantaloupe (muskmelon) (seeds, transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Eggplant (transplants)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peppers (transplants)
  • Pumpkin (seeds)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Sweet potatoes (transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
  • Watermelon (seeds, transplants)
July · 19 crops
  • Basil (seeds, transplants)
  • Beans, lima (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, lima (pole) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Brussels sprouts (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cantaloupe (muskmelon) (seeds, transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Collard greens (seeds, transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Fennel, Florence (seeds)
  • Pumpkin (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Sweet potatoes (transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
August · 39 crops
  • Arugula (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Brussels sprouts (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cabbage, Chinese (seeds)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Cauliflower (seeds, transplants)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Collard greens (seeds, transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Dill (seeds)
  • Eggplant (transplants)
  • Fennel, Florence (seeds)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (seeds)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Okra (seeds)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Onions, green (transplants)
  • Pac choi (bok choy) (transplants)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Peppers (transplants)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Swiss chard (seeds, transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
September · 30 crops
  • Arugula (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cabbage, Chinese (transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Cauliflower (seeds, transplants)
  • Cilantro (seeds)
  • Collard greens (seeds, transplants)
  • Dill (seeds)
  • Garlic (bulbs)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Onions, green (seeds, transplants)
  • Pac choi (bok choy) (transplants)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Swiss chard (seeds, transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
October · 15 crops
November · 3 crops
  • Asparagus (crowns)
  • Garlic (bulbs)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
December · 2 crops
  • Asparagus (crowns)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)

Related guides

North Carolina Seed-Starting CalendarWhen to start vegetable seeds indoors in eastern, central, and western North Carolina, counted back from NC State Extension transplant dates.Fall Vegetable Planting in North CarolinaWhat to plant for a fall vegetable garden in eastern, central, and western North Carolina, with NC State Extension dates and late-summer sowing tips.What to Plant in North Carolina by SeasonSpring, summer, fall, and winter planting lists for eastern, central, and western North Carolina, drawn from NC State Extension planting calendars.

Other North Carolina calendars: Central North Carolina · Western North Carolina · Compare all regions

Sources

  1. [1]
    Eastern North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-02) — NC State Extension. Published June 15, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.

    Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, and plant spacing for eastern North Carolina. Scope: Eastern North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.

  2. [2]
    Average First and Last Freeze Dates — Table — NC State Extension Gardening and the State Climate Office of North Carolina. Updated October 9, 2026. Checked October 11, 2026.

    Supports: Average first fall and last spring freeze dates for North Carolina weather stations. Scope: Individual North Carolina weather stations; station records end in 2019.

  3. [3]
    Extension Gardener Handbook, Chapter 16: Vegetable Gardening — NC State Extension. Published February 1, 2022. Checked October 11, 2026.

    Supports: Cool- and warm-season crop groupings, seed-sowing depth, transplant growing times and temperatures (Table 16-3), soil preparation, succession planting, and harvest indicators. Scope: Written for North Carolina and the southeastern United States.