When Is the Last Frost?

Frost dates for 28223 — Charlotte, NC

Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season215 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a

How Charlotte compares

Frost probability

Last spring frost
Chance of frost afterDate
90% (early)March 16
50% (median)April 1
10% (safe for tender plants)April 16
First fall frost
Chance of frost beforeDate
10% (early)October 21
50% (median)November 2
90% (late)November 15

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 Charlotte, NC

Frost dates for 28223 — Charlotte, NC — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 2, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com

Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates

When to plant vegetables in Charlotte, NC

CropStart indoorsTransplantSow outdoorsFall crop
OnionsJan 7 – Jan 21Mar 4 – Mar 18——
PeppersJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 29——
EggplantJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 29——
TomatoesFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 22——
LettuceFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 11 – Mar 25Mar 4 – Apr 8Sep 7 – Oct 5
KaleFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 4 – Mar 18Mar 4 – Mar 18Aug 24 – Sep 14
BroccoliFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1—Jul 27 – Aug 17
CabbageFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 11 – Mar 25—Jul 27 – Aug 17
CauliflowerFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1—Jul 27 – Aug 17
OkraFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – May 6—
BasilFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 8 – Apr 22——
Peas——Feb 18 – Mar 11Aug 10 – Aug 31
Spinach——Feb 18 – Mar 11Sep 7 – Sep 28
Radishes——Feb 25 – Apr 8Sep 21 – Oct 12
CucumbersMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 22Aug 17 – Aug 31
Zucchini & Summer SquashMar 4 – Mar 11—Apr 8 – Apr 22Aug 24 – Sep 7
Winter Squash & PumpkinsMar 4 – Mar 11—Apr 8 – Apr 22—
Melons & WatermelonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 29——
Carrots——Mar 11 – Apr 8Aug 10 – Aug 24
Beets——Mar 11 – Apr 8Aug 24 – Sep 7
Potatoes——Mar 11 – Apr 1—
Swiss Chard——Mar 18 – Apr 15Aug 24 – Sep 7
Cilantro——Mar 18 – Apr 8Sep 7 – Sep 28
Green Beans——Apr 8 – Apr 29Aug 17 – Aug 31
Sweet Corn——Apr 8 – Apr 22—
Sweet Potatoes—Apr 15 – May 6——
Garlic———Oct 19 – Nov 23

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 Concord, NC weather station, 18 km away (elevation 699 ft (213 m)).

ZIP codes in Charlotte: 28201 28202 28203 28204 28205 28206 28207 28208 28209 28210 28211 28212 28213 28214 28215 28216 28217 28218 28219 28220 28221 28222 28223 28224 28226 28227 28228 28229 28230 28231 28232 28233 28234 28235 28236 28237 28241 28242 28243 28244 28246 28247 28250 28253 28254 28255 28256 28258 28260 28262 28263 28265 28266 28269 28270 28271 28272 28273 28274 28275 …

Frost dates near Charlotte

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Charlotte, NC?

The median last spring frost in Charlotte, NC is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.

When is the first frost in Charlotte, NC?

The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.

How long is the growing season in Charlotte, NC?

About 215 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.

What planting zone is Charlotte, NC?

Charlotte, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.

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