For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the Almanac Daily newsletter.

Planting Calendar for Kinston, NC

Enter your zip code or postal code above.

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. 

Use the icon below for the best print or email format.

Print Friendly and PDF

Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on November 4 (at KINSTON AG RSCH, NC climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Sep 16-Oct 21
Moon Sep 16-17, Oct 2-17
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Aug 12-Sep 9
Moon Aug 20-Sep 1
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 26-Sep 16
Moon Sep 2-16
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Aug 5-12
Moon Aug 5-12
Frost Aug 26-Sep 9
Moon Sep 2-9
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jul 15-29
Moon Jul 15-21
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Aug 5-12
Moon Aug 5-12
Frost Aug 26-Sep 2
Moon Sep 2
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Aug 19-26
Moon Aug 20-26
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 29-Aug 5
Moon Aug 4-5
Frost Aug 12-19
Moon Aug 12-19
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Aug 12-Sep 9
Moon Aug 12-19, Sep 2-9
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Aug 5-19
Moon Aug 5-19
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Nov 18-Dec 2
Moon Nov 18-30
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Aug 19-Sep 2
Moon Aug 19
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 26-Sep 9
Moon Sep 2-9
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Sep 2-23
Moon Sep 2-17
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 26-Sep 9
Moon Sep 2-9
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Sep 2-23
Moon Sep 2-17
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 26-Sep 9
Moon Sep 2-9
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 23-Oct 7
Moon Sep 23-Oct 1
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Sep 16-Oct 7
Moon Sep 16-17, Oct 2-7
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 26-Sep 9
Moon Sep 2-9
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Sep 2-16
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on March 31 (at KINSTON AG RSCH, NC climate station, elevation 59 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Feb 3-17
Moon Feb 9-17
Frost Mar 9-24
Frost Mar 2-9
Oct 7
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Mar 17-31
Moon Mar 26-31
Mar 31
BasilFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 14-23
Frost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 14-23
Sep 23
BeetsN/AFrost Mar 17-31
Moon Mar 26-31
Frost Mar 2-9
Moon Mar 2-9
Apr 14
Bell PeppersFrost Jan 20-Feb 3
Moon Jan 20-25
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
N/AAug 12
Bok ChoyFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
May 12
BroccoliFrost Feb 3-17
Moon Feb 9-17
Frost Mar 17-31
Moon Mar 17-25
Frost Mar 2-9
Sep 2
Brussels SproutsFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Mar 17-31
Moon Mar 17-25
Frost Mar 2-9
Jul 29
CabbageFrost Feb 3-17
Moon Feb 9-17
Frost Mar 17-31
Moon Mar 17-25
Frost Mar 2-9
Apr 7
CantaloupesFrost Mar 9-24
Frost Mar 31-Apr 14
Moon Apr 8-14
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 8-14
Jul 29
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Mar 2-17
Moon Mar 2-17
Aug 26
CauliflowerFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Mar 24-Apr 7
Moon Mar 24-25
N/AAug 19
CeleryFrost Jan 6-20
Moon Jan 11-20
Frost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 8-21
Frost Mar 31
Aug 26
ChivesFrost Feb 3-17
Moon Feb 9-17
Frost Mar 9-17
Frost Mar 9-17
Sep 9
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost Mar 31-Apr 14
Moon Apr 8-14
Apr 21
CollardsFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Mar 17-31
Moon Mar 17-25
Frost Mar 9-17
Aug 26
CucumbersFrost Mar 9-17
Frost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 8-21
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Aug 26
DillN/AN/AFrost Mar 24-Apr 14
Moon Mar 24-25, Apr 8-14
Sep 9
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Jul 29
EggplantsFrost Feb 3-17
Moon Feb 9-17
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
N/AAug 26
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Mar 2-9
Apr 14
FennelFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 8-14
Frost Mar 31-Apr 14
Moon Apr 8-14
Aug 19
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 7-28
Moon Apr 8-23
Aug 26
Honeydew MelonsFrost Mar 9-17
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Aug 5
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Jan 20-Feb 3
Moon Jan 20-25
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
N/A
KaleFrost Feb 3-17
Moon Feb 9-17
Frost Mar 17-31
Moon Mar 17-25
Frost Mar 2-9
Apr 14
KohlrabiFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Mar 9-17
Frost Mar 2-9
Apr 14
LeeksFrost Jan 20-Feb 3
Moon Jan 20-25
Frost Mar 9-24
N/AJul 22
LettuceFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Mar 9-17
Frost Mar 2-9
Apr 14
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Mar 2-17
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 14-23
Aug 26
OnionsN/AFrost Mar 2-17
Moon Mar 2-17
N/AJul 29
OreganoFrost Jan 20-Feb 17
Moon Jan 20-25, Feb 9-17
Frost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 8-21
N/AAug 26
ParsleyFrost Jan 20-Feb 3
Moon Jan 20-25
Frost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 8-21
Frost Mar 2-Apr 7
Moon Mar 18-25
Aug 19
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 2-9
Moon Mar 2-9
Jul 29
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost Apr 21-May 5
Moon Apr 24-May 5
PeasN/AN/AFrost Mar 2-9
Apr 14
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Mar 2-17
Moon Mar 2-17
Aug 26
PumpkinsFrost Mar 9-24
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Jul 22
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Mar 2-9
Moon Mar 2-9
Sep 9
RosemaryFrost Jan 6-20
Moon Jan 11-20
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
N/ASep 9
SageFrost Feb 3-17
Moon Feb 9-17
Frost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 8-21
N/AAug 19
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Mar 2-17
Moon Mar 2-17
Jul 29
SpinachFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Mar 9-17
Frost Mar 2-9
Apr 14
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 14-23
Aug 19
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 24-28
Jul 22
Swiss ChardFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Mar 17-31
Moon Mar 17-25
Frost Mar 9-31
Moon Mar 25
Apr 14
ThymeFrost Jan 20-Feb 3
Moon Jan 20-25
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 8-14
N/AAug 12
TomatillosFrost Feb 17-Mar 2
Moon Feb 17-24
Frost Apr 14-28
Moon Apr 14-23
N/AAug 19
TomatoesFrost Feb 3-17
Moon Feb 9-17
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
N/AAug 5
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 2-9
Moon Mar 2-9
Oct 7
WatermelonsFrost Mar 9-24
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Frost Apr 7-14
Moon Apr 8-14
Aug 5
Winter SquashFrost Mar 9-17
Frost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 8-21
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Jul 15
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Mar 9-17
Frost Apr 7-21
Moon Apr 8-21
Frost Apr 14-21
Moon Apr 14-21
Sep 2
The Old Farmer's Store