Frost dates for 27701 — Durham, NC
Last spring frostApr 2median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season216 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Durham compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Durham falls between March 15 and April 18, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 216-day growing season is longer than 45% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 84 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Raleigh, NC, 32 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 9 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 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 Durham, NC
Frost dates for 27701 — Durham, NC — last frost Apr 2, first frost Nov 4, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Transplant outside: Apr 16 to May 7
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Durham, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 5 – Apr 9 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — | — |
| 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 Durham, NC weather station, 8 km away (elevation 400 ft (122 m)).
ZIP codes in Durham: 27701 27702 27703 27704 27705 27706 27707 27708 27709 27710 27711 27712 27713 27715 27717 27722
Frost dates near Durham
- Chapel Hill Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Bahama Apr 2 · Nov 4
- Morrisville Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Hillsborough Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Butner Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Carrboro Mar 31 · Nov 3
- Creedmoor Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Cary Mar 27 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Durham, NC?
The median last spring frost in Durham, NC is April 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Durham, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 24.
How long is the growing season in Durham, NC?
About 216 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Durham, NC?
Durham, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.