North Carolina frost dates
Across North Carolina, the average last spring frost is around April 5 and the average first fall frost around October 25 - roughly 203 frost-free days. USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b.
North Carolina spans a wide range of elevations and climates - your town’s dates can differ from the state average by two weeks or more. Look up your exact ZIP.
What these dates mean for planting in North Carolina
Counted from the average frost dates above. For every crop, see the full North Carolina planting calendar.
Frost dates by zone in North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. Colder zones - usually higher or further inland - have later spring and earlier fall frosts than the state average.
Frost dates in nearby states
Questions gardeners ask
When is the last frost in North Carolina?
The statewide average last spring frost is around April 5. There is still roughly a one-in-two chance of frost on that date, so for tender plants a safer date is about two weeks later, around April 19. North Carolina covers a wide range of elevations and climates, so check your own ZIP code.
When is the first frost in North Carolina?
The average first fall frost is around October 25. Frost-tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash should be harvested or covered before then; an early frost two weeks sooner, around October 11, happens in roughly one year in ten.
How long is the growing season in North Carolina?
About 203 frost-free days on average between the last spring frost and the first fall frost. That is enough for most vegetables, including a fall crop of greens and roots.
When can I plant tomatoes outside in North Carolina?
Plant tomato transplants outdoors between April 5 – April 22, once nights stay above about 50°F. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Is it safe to plant on the average last frost date?
For hardy crops such as peas, spinach, onions and cabbage, yes - they handle a light frost. For tender crops, no: the average date still carries about a 50% chance of a later frost, so wait one to two weeks or keep row cover ready.
→ Turn these into sowing dates with the North Carolina planting calendar, look up an exact ZIP code, or read how frost dates work. Month by month: what to plant in January · what to plant in February · what to plant in March · what to plant in April · what to plant in May · what to plant in June · what to plant in July · what to plant in August · what to plant in September · what to plant in October · what to plant in November · what to plant in December.
Statewide average from NOAA/NCEI freeze normals. Cautious and gambler dates are about two weeks either side of the average.