Garner, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season214 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Garner compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Garner falls between March 17 and April 15, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and November 15.
- The median last frost is the same as the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 214-day growing season is longer than 41% 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 88 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Raleigh, NC, 15 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 17 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 15 |
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 Garner, NC
Garner, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 1, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Garner, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Garner, NC weather station, 6 km away (elevation 331 ft (101 m)).
Frost dates near Garner
- Knightdale Apr 7 · Nov 3
- Raleigh Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Clayton Apr 7 · Nov 3
- Willow Spring Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Fuquay Varina Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Apex Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Wendell Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Cary Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Holly Springs Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Wilsons Mills Mar 28 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Garner, NC?
The median last spring frost in Garner, NC is April 1. 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 Garner, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Garner, NC?
About 214 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Garner, NC?
Garner, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.