Frost dates for 28146 — Salisbury, NC
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season207 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Salisbury compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salisbury falls between March 21 and April 27, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 207-day growing season is longer than 30% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 71 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Concord, NC, 31 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 21 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 Salisbury, NC
Frost dates for 28146 — Salisbury, NC — last frost Apr 6, first frost Oct 30, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salisbury, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Salisbury, NC weather station, 10 km away (elevation 699 ft (213 m)).
ZIP codes in Salisbury: 28144 28145 28146 28147
Frost dates near Salisbury
- Granite Quarry Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Faith Apr 6 · Oct 30
- East Spencer Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Rockwell Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Spencer Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Gold Hill Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Southmont Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Linwood Apr 6 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salisbury, NC?
The median last spring frost in Salisbury, NC is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Salisbury, NC?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Salisbury, NC?
About 207 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salisbury, NC?
Salisbury, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.