Frost dates for 27615 — Raleigh, NC
Last spring frostApr 4median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season214 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Raleigh compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Raleigh falls between March 20 and April 19, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 22 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 214-day growing season is longer than 41% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 82 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 22 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
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 Raleigh, NC
Frost dates for 27615 — Raleigh, NC — last frost Apr 4, first frost Nov 4, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 9
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Raleigh, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 7 – Apr 11 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Basil | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Falls Lake, NC weather station, 10 km away (elevation 279 ft (85 m)).
ZIP codes in Raleigh: 27601 27602 27603 27604 27605 27606 27607 27608 27609 27610 27611 27612 27613 27614 27615 27616 27617 27619 27620 27621 27622 27623 27624 27625 27626 27627 27628 27629 27634 27635 27636 27640 27650 27656 27658 27661 27668 27675 27676 27690 27695 27697 27698 27699
Frost dates near Raleigh
- Rolesville Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Wake Forest Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Knightdale Apr 7 · Nov 3
- Morrisville Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Cary Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Youngsville Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Garner Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Wendell Mar 28 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Raleigh, NC?
The median last spring frost in Raleigh, NC is April 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Raleigh, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 22.
How long is the growing season in Raleigh, NC?
About 214 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.