Frost dates for 27513 — Cary, NC
Last spring frostMar 27median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season226 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Cary compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cary falls between March 8 and April 10, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 24.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 226-day growing season is longer than 71% 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 67 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Raleigh, NC, 15 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 8 |
| 50% (median) | March 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 24 |
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 27513 — Cary, NC — last frost Mar 27, first frost Nov 8, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Transplant outside: Apr 10 to May 1
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
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 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 27 – Apr 3 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Basil | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 29 |
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 Apex, NC weather station, 7 km away (elevation 449 ft (137 m)).
ZIP codes in Cary: 27511 27512 27513 27518 27519
Frost dates near Cary
- Morrisville Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Apex Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Raleigh Mar 28 · Nov 8
- New Hill Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Holly Springs Apr 6 · Nov 3
- Garner Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Fuquay Varina Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Durham Apr 2 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cary, NC?
The median last spring frost in Cary, NC is March 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, 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 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Cary, NC?
About 226 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.