Frost dates for 27698 — Raleigh, NC
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season225 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Raleigh compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Raleigh falls between March 8 and April 12, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 28 and November 27.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 225-day growing season is longer than 69% 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 57 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 8 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 28 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 27 |
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 27698 — Raleigh, NC — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 8, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
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 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 28 – Apr 4 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| 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 Raleigh State Univ, NC weather station, 7 km away (elevation 400 ft (122 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
- Knightdale Apr 7 · Nov 3
- Garner Apr 1 · Nov 1
- Cary Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Rolesville Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Morrisville Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Wendell Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Apex Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Wake Forest Apr 4 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Raleigh, NC?
The median last spring frost in Raleigh, NC is March 28. 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 Raleigh, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 28.
How long is the growing season in Raleigh, NC?
About 225 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.