Frost dates for 27516 — Chapel Hill, NC
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season217 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 16 and April 14, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 217-day growing season is longer than 46% 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 77 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Durham, NC, 22 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 27516 — Chapel Hill, NC — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 3, 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 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
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 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow 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 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
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 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 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| 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 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| 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 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
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 2 W, NC weather station, 2 km away (elevation 499 ft (152 m)).
ZIP codes in Chapel Hill: 27514 27515 27516 27517 27599
Frost dates near Chapel Hill
- Carrboro Mar 31 · Nov 3
- Bynum Apr 1 · Nov 7
- Pittsboro Apr 1 · Nov 7
- Hillsborough Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Efland Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Saxapahaw Apr 6 · Nov 1
- Durham Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Morrisville Mar 31 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chapel Hill, NC?
The median last spring frost in Chapel Hill, NC is March 31. 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 Chapel Hill, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Chapel Hill, NC?
About 217 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.