Frost dates for 27514 — Chapel Hill, NC
Last spring frostMar 29median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season221 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Chapel Hill compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chapel Hill falls between March 11 and April 12, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 21.
- The median last frost is 3 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 68 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Durham, NC, 17 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | March 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 21 |
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 Chapel Hill, NC
Frost dates for 27514 — Chapel Hill, NC — last frost Mar 29, first frost Nov 5, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Transplant outside: Apr 12 to May 3
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chapel Hill, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Basil | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Chapel Hill Williams Ap, NC weather station, 3 km away (elevation 512 ft (156 m)).
ZIP codes in Chapel Hill: 27514 27515 27516 27517 27599
Frost dates near Chapel Hill
- Carrboro Mar 31 · Nov 3
- Durham Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Bynum Apr 1 · Nov 7
- Hillsborough Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Morrisville Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Pittsboro Apr 1 · Nov 7
- Efland Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Cary Mar 27 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chapel Hill, NC?
The median last spring frost in Chapel Hill, NC is March 29. 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 Chapel Hill, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Chapel Hill, NC?
About 221 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chapel Hill, NC?
Chapel Hill, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.