Frost dates for 27511 — Cary, NC
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season224 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Cary compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cary falls between March 12 and April 12, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and November 27.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 224-day growing season is longer than 66% 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 71 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Raleigh, NC, 14 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 27 |
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 Cary, NC
Frost dates for 27511 — Cary, NC — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 10, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cary, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Cary, NC weather station, 5 km away (elevation 390 ft (119 m)).
ZIP codes in Cary: 27511 27512 27513 27518 27519
Frost dates near Cary
- Apex Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Morrisville Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Raleigh Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Holly Springs Apr 6 · Nov 3
- New Hill Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Garner Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Fuquay Varina Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Willow Spring Apr 1 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cary, NC?
The median last spring frost in Cary, NC is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cary, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Cary, NC?
About 224 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cary, NC?
Cary, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.