Stem, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 30median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season221 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Stem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Stem falls between March 16 and April 14, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 25.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 221-day growing season is longer than 59% 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 69 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Durham, NC, 25 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | March 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 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 Stem, NC
Stem, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 30, first frost Nov 6, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Transplant outside: Apr 13 to May 4
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Stem, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 2 – Apr 6 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Basil | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 27 |
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 Oxford Ag, NC weather station, 15 km away (elevation 499 ft (152 m)).
Frost dates near Stem
- Butner Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Creedmoor Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Bahama Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Rougemont Apr 15 · Oct 26
- Oxford Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Timberlake Apr 15 · Oct 26
- Durham Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Kittrell Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Franklinton Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Youngsville Apr 4 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Stem, NC?
The median last spring frost in Stem, NC is March 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Stem, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Stem, NC?
About 221 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Stem, NC?
Stem, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.