Raeford, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 3median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season214 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Raeford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Raeford falls between March 17 and April 19, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than 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 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 82 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Fayetteville, NC, 30 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 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
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 Raeford, NC
Raeford, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 3, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
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 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
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 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 8
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Raeford, 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 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| 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 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| 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 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
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 Raeford, NC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 249 ft (76 m)).
Frost dates near Raeford
- Shannon Apr 3 · Nov 3
- Wagram Mar 25 · Nov 8
- Lumber Bridge Apr 3 · Nov 3
- Red Springs Mar 25 · Nov 8
- Rex Apr 3 · Nov 3
- Parkton Mar 22 · Nov 13
- Cumberland Mar 22 · Nov 13
- Aberdeen Mar 25 · Nov 14
- Pinebluff Mar 25 · Nov 14
- Vass Apr 1 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Raeford, NC?
The median last spring frost in Raeford, 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 Raeford, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Raeford, NC?
About 214 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Raeford, NC?
Raeford, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.