Macon, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 3median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season216 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Macon compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Macon falls between March 18 and April 19, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 216-day growing season is longer than 45% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 86 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rocky Mount, NC, 66 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 18 |
| 50% (median) | April 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
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 Macon, NC
Macon, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 5, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 8
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Macon, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 6 – Apr 10 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Basil | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Arcola, NC weather station, 24 km away (elevation 331 ft (101 m)).
Frost dates near Macon
- Vaughan Apr 3 · Nov 5
- Henrico Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Wise Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Littleton Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Norlina Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Warrenton Apr 3 · Nov 5
- Ridgeway Mar 28 · Nov 9
- Manson Mar 28 · Nov 9
- Hollister Apr 3 · Nov 5
- Roanoke Rapids Mar 27 · Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Macon, NC?
The median last spring frost in Macon, NC is April 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Macon, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Macon, NC?
About 216 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Macon, NC?
Macon, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.