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North Carolina frost dates
Across the 27North Carolina weather stations below, the average last spring frost ranges from Mar 4 in Cape Hatteras to Apr 24 in Asheville 8 Ssw. The statewide middle is about Mar 27 for the last spring frost and Nov 9 for the first fall frost. Cape Hatteras has the longest growing season, about 293 days. Hardiness zones in these places: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a.
Frost dates by city
| Place | Zone | Last spring frost | 90% safe after | First fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Hatteras | 9a | Mar 4 | Mar 25 | Dec 22 | 293 |
| Beaufort Michael J Smith | 8b | Mar 10 | Mar 26 | Dec 1 | 266 |
| Goldsboro 4 Se | 8b | Mar 15 | Apr 1 | Nov 18 | 248 |
| Manteo | 9a | Mar 15 | Mar 30 | Dec 6 | 266 |
| Cherry Point Mcas | 8b | Mar 19 | Apr 4 | Nov 22 | 248 |
| Wilmington | 8b | Mar 19 | Apr 4 | Nov 20 | 246 |
| Fayetteville | 8b | Mar 22 | Apr 8 | Nov 13 | 236 |
| New Bern Craven | 8b | Mar 23 | Apr 7 | Nov 15 | 237 |
| New River Mcaf | 8b | Mar 23 | Apr 7 | Nov 16 | 238 |
| Gastonia | 8a | Mar 24 | Apr 10 | Nov 9 | 230 |
| Lumberton | 8b | Mar 24 | Apr 9 | Nov 10 | 231 |
| Laurinburg Maxton | 8a | Mar 25 | Apr 11 | Nov 8 | 228 |
| Winston Salem Rynlds | 8a | Mar 26 | Apr 11 | Nov 9 | 228 |
| Roanoke Rapids | 8a | Mar 27 | Apr 8 | Nov 12 | 230 |
| Elizabeth Cgas | 8a | Mar 28 | Apr 11 | Nov 12 | 229 |
| Chapel Hill Williams | 8a | Mar 29 | Apr 12 | Nov 5 | 221 |
| Charlotte Douglas | 8a | Mar 30 | Apr 14 | Nov 3 | 218 |
| Piedmont Triad | 8a | Mar 30 | Apr 14 | Nov 5 | 220 |
| Durham 11 W | 8a | Mar 31 | Apr 19 | Nov 4 | 218 |
| Hickory Faa | 8a | Mar 31 | Apr 16 | Nov 4 | 218 |
| Monroe | 8a | Mar 31 | Apr 16 | Nov 5 | 219 |
| Raleigh Durham | 8a | Mar 31 | Apr 16 | Nov 4 | 218 |
| Burlington Alamance | 8a | Apr 1 | Apr 17 | Nov 2 | 215 |
| Rocky Mt Wilson | 8a | Apr 1 | Apr 16 | Nov 5 | 218 |
| Asheville | 7b | Apr 9 | Apr 27 | Oct 28 | 202 |
| Asheville 13 S | 7b | Apr 17 | May 4 | Oct 23 | 189 |
| Asheville 8 Ssw | 7b | Apr 24 | May 11 | Oct 18 | 177 |
Dates are the 50% probability of a 32°F freeze (NOAA 1991–2020 normals); "90% safe after" is the date after which a later spring freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.
When to plant in North Carolina
Using the statewide middle dates (last frost Mar 27, first frost Nov 9). Adjust for your town with the table above or the planting calendar.
| Plant | When to plant in North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Peas | Feb 13 – Mar 6; fall: Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 20 |
| Green beans | Apr 3 – Apr 17; fall: Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Garlic | Nov 9 – Dec 7 |
| Tulips | Oct 26 – Dec 7 |