Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Kinston, NC

Kinston, NC is in USDA zones 8a to 8b across its 4 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 4.

Kinston on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones8a–8b10 to 20 °F

ZIP codes4

Last frostApr 1

First frostNov 4

Growing season217 days

8a 2 ZIPs 8b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kinston, NC…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Kinston, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Kinston 7 Se, NC, elevation 23 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Kinston

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 4) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 28502 came on Feb 20 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

average
Feb 132026
Feb 20

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8a in North Carolina

619 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Kinston, NC.

Soil in Kinston, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28502 is Kenansville — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Kenansville loamy sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 28502; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kinston, NC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days62days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights45nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,585base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation52.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kinston Ag Rsch, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Kinston Ag Rsch, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Kinston

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about Kinston

What planting zone is Kinston, NC?

Kinston, NC is in USDA hardiness zones 8a to 8b on the 2023 map (8a: 10 to 15 °F; 8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Kinston, NC?

The median last spring frost is April 1 and the median first fall frost is November 4 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kinston 7 Se station).

When can I plant a garden in Kinston, NC?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 18 – Mar 11; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 8, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Kinston, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Kinston, NC get?

About 52.9 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).