Burlington, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 29median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season225 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Burlington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Burlington falls between March 8 and April 15, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 25.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 225-day growing season is longer than 69% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 72 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greensboro, NC, 31 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 8 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 8 |
| 50% (median) | March 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 25 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Burlington, NC
Burlington, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 29, first frost Nov 9, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Transplant outside: Apr 12 to May 3
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Burlington, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Basil | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Burlington Fire Stn #5, NC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 659 ft (201 m)).
ZIP codes in Burlington: 27215 27216 27217
Frost dates near Burlington
- Alamance Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Elon Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Graham Apr 4 · Nov 3
- Haw River Apr 4 · Nov 3
- Swepsonville Apr 4 · Nov 3
- Gibsonville Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Whitsett Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Altamahaw Mar 29 · Nov 9
- Sedalia Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Mebane Apr 4 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Burlington, NC?
The median last spring frost in Burlington, NC is March 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Burlington, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Burlington, NC?
About 225 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Burlington, NC?
Burlington, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.