Frost dates for 27520 — Clayton, NC
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season210 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Clayton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Clayton falls between March 23 and April 20, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 22 and November 16.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 210-day growing season is longer than 37% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 77 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Raleigh, NC, 25 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 15 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 23 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 22 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 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 Clayton, NC
Frost dates for 27520 — Clayton, NC — last frost Apr 7, first frost Nov 3, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Clayton, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| 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 Clayton Wtp, NC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 299 ft (91 m)).
ZIP codes in Clayton: 27520 27527 27528
Frost dates near Clayton
- Wilsons Mills Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Garner Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Knightdale Apr 7 · Nov 3
- Smithfield Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Wendell Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Selma Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Willow Spring Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Pine Level Mar 29 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Clayton, NC?
The median last spring frost in Clayton, NC is April 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Clayton, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 22.
How long is the growing season in Clayton, NC?
About 210 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Clayton, NC?
Clayton, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.