Sanford, NC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 10median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season203 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Sanford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sanford falls between March 26 and April 25, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 203-day growing season is longer than 27% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 79 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Cary, NC, 47 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 26 |
| 50% (median) | April 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Sanford, NC
Sanford, NC frost dates — last frost Apr 10, first frost Oct 30, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 15
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sanford, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 13 – Apr 17 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Basil | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 17 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Sanford 8 Ne, NC weather station, 13 km away (elevation 262 ft (80 m)).
ZIP codes in Sanford: 27330 27331 27332
Frost dates near Sanford
- Cumnock Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Lemon Springs Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Broadway Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Olivia Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Gulf Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Goldston Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Moncure Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Mamers Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Cameron Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Bear Creek Mar 31 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sanford, NC?
The median last spring frost in Sanford, NC is April 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sanford, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Sanford, NC?
About 203 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sanford, NC?
Sanford, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.