Frost dates for 27216 — Burlington, NC
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season215 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Burlington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Burlington falls between March 13 and April 17, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 16.
- The median last frost is the same as the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 215-day growing season is longer than 42% 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 78 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greensboro, NC, 29 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 16 |
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 Burlington, NC
Frost dates for 27216 — Burlington, NC — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 2, 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 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
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 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
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 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Burlington, 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 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| 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 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| 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 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
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 Burlington Alamance Ap, NC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 617 ft (188 m)).
ZIP codes in Burlington: 27215 27216 27217
Frost dates near Burlington
- Alamance Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Elon Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Graham Apr 4 · Nov 3
- Whitsett Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Gibsonville Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Swepsonville Apr 4 · Nov 3
- Haw River Apr 4 · Nov 3
- Sedalia Apr 1 · Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Burlington, NC?
The median last spring frost in Burlington, NC is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Burlington, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Burlington, NC?
About 215 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Burlington, NC?
Burlington, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.