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Frost dates and planting calendar for Raleigh, North Carolina

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on USDA, NOAA and Colorado State University Extension data. Published by Humblebee.

USDA hardiness zone
8a[1]
Median last spring frost
Mar 28[2]
Median first fall frost
Nov 8[3]
Growing season, median
229 days[4]

Raleigh sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a[1]. At the nearby NOAA weather station, the median last spring frost is March 28[2].

Frost dates

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast spring frost: 9 in 10 years after Mar 8, half of years Mar 28, 1 in 10 years after Apr 12Last frostmedian Mar 28First fall frost: 9 in 10 years before Nov 27, half of years Nov 8, 1 in 10 years before Oct 28First frostmedian Nov 8Frost riskHardyHardy vegetables: plant Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 28 to Mar 14Semi-hardySemi-hardy vegetables: plant Mar 14 to Mar 28Mar 14 to Mar 28TenderTender vegetables: plant around Mar 28around Mar 28Very tenderVery tender vegetables: plant from Apr 11from Apr 11
Shaded: the span between the dates frost passes in 9 of 10 years and 1 of 10 years[2][3]. Green: planting windows from the CSU rules applied to the median last frost (GardenFacts calculation)[6]. Exact dates are in the tables below.

Frost dates here are odds, not promises. They come from NOAA climate normals for the Raleigh State Univ weather station, using records from 1991 to 2020[5]. In half of years the last spring frost comes after March 28, and in 1 of 10 years it comes after April 12[2]. In fall, the first frost comes before November 8 in half of years, and before October 28 in 1 of 10 years[3]. Any year can be earlier or later than these dates.

Frost Likely (9 in 10 years) Even odds (5 in 10) Unlikely (1 in 10)
Last spring frost (32°F)[2] after March 8 after March 28 after April 12
First fall frost (32°F)[3] before October 28 before November 8 before November 27
  • Hard freeze (28°F): median last spring date March 14, median first fall date November 23[7].
  • Frost-free growing season: at least 208 days in 9 of 10 years, 229 days in half of years and 255 days in 1 of 10 years[4].
  • The low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years and 28°F or colder in 100% of years[8].
  • Weather station: Raleigh State Univ (USC00317079), 4.3 miles from the city center, 400 feet, 27 years of 1991 to 2020 records[5].

When to plant vegetables

The planting dates on this page use Colorado State University Extension's vegetable guide, which was written for Colorado[6]. GardenFacts takes the NOAA median last frost, March 28, as the average last frost[6]. Hardy crops such as peas, lettuce and spinach can go in as early as February 28 to March 14[6]. Tender crops such as snap beans and sweet corn go in from seed around March 28[9]. Very tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers typically wait 2 or more weeks after the last frost, so their earliest start is April 11[10].

  • Hardy (broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips): as early as 2 to 4 weeks before the median last frost (March 28) is February 28 to March 14[6]
  • Semi-hardy (beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard): as early as 2 weeks before the median last frost (March 28) is March 14, up to the median date itself[11]
  • Tender (snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash): from seed around the median last frost date, March 28[9]
  • Very tender (cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon): the earliest start, two weeks after the median last frost (March 28), is April 11[10]
Vegetable (CSU group) Plant from First harvest around
Broccoli (hardy)[12] Feb 28 May 4 (from transplants)
Cabbage (hardy)[12] Feb 28 May 24 (from transplants)
Kohlrabi (hardy)[12] Feb 28 Apr 19
Lettuce (hardy)[12] Feb 28 Apr 29
Onions (hardy)[12] Feb 28 Jun 18
Peas (hardy)[12] Feb 28 May 4
Radishes (hardy)[12] Feb 28 Mar 30
Spinach (hardy)[12] Feb 28 Apr 9
Turnips (hardy)[12] Feb 28 Apr 19
Beets (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 14 May 13
Carrots (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 14 May 23
Cauliflower (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 14 not listed
Parsnips (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 14 May 23
Potatoes (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 14 Jul 17
Swiss chard (semi-hardy)[12] Mar 14 May 13
Snap beans (tender)[12] Mar 28 May 27
Sweet corn (tender)[12] Mar 28 May 27
Cucumbers (tender)[12] Mar 28 May 22
Summer squash (tender)[12] Mar 28 May 17
Cantaloupe (very tender)[12] Apr 11 Jul 5
Eggplant (very tender)[12] Apr 11 Jun 10 (from transplants)
Peppers (very tender)[12] Apr 11 Jun 20 (from transplants)
Tomatoes (very tender)[12] Apr 11 Jun 15 (from transplants)
Winter squash (very tender)[12] Apr 11 Jul 20
Watermelon (very tender)[12] Apr 11 Jul 5
Spacing, depth and soil temperature (CSU Extension)
Vegetable Min. soil temp Depth Spacing Days to harvest
Broccoli[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 65
Cabbage[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in 85
Kohlrabi[13] 40°F 1/2 in 7-9 in 50
Lettuce[13] 35°F 1/4 in 7-9 in 60
Onions[13] 35°F 1/4 in (seed), 1-2 in (sets) 4-6 in 110
Peas[13] 40°F 1 in 4-6 in 65
Radishes[13] 40°F 1/2 in 2-3 in 30
Spinach[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 40
Turnips[13] 40°F 1/2 in 4-6 in 50
Beets[13] 40°F 3/4-1 in 4-6 in 60
Carrots[13] 40°F 1/4 in 2-3 in 70
Cauliflower[13] 40°F 1/2 in 18 in –
Parsnips[13] 35°F 1/2 in 5-6 in 70
Potatoes[13] 45°F – – 125
Swiss chard[13] 40°F 1 in 7-9 in 60
Snap beans[13] 55°F 1-1 1/2 in 6 in 60
Sweet corn[13] 50°F 1-1 1/2 in 12 x 30 in or 9 x 36 in 60-90
Cucumbers[13] 60°F 1 in 6 in trellised, 24-36 in untrellised 55
Summer squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 50
Cantaloupe[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85
Eggplant[13] 60°F 1/4 in 18-24 in 60
Peppers[13] 60°F 1/4 in 15-18 in 70
Tomatoes[13] 50°F 1/4 in 24 in trellised 65
Winter squash[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 100
Watermelon[13] 60°F 1-1 1/2 in 36-48 in 85

Hardiness zone

Zone 8a means the coldest winter night averages 10°F to 15°F, based on 1991 to 2020[1]. The zone is about winter cold, not frost dates or summer heat[14]. The USDA map is a guide for which perennial plants are likely to thrive[14]. All of Raleigh's land area lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a[15].

Zone 8a: average annual extreme minimum temperature 10°F to 15°F (1991 to 2020)[1]. Modeled value at the city center: 12.4°F[1].

Share of the city's land area by ZIP code zone: zone 8a 100%[15].

All towns in zone 8a and what zone 8a means

Zone by ZIP code
ZIP code Zone Coldest night range
27610[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27612[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27607[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27616[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27615[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27604[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27609[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27606[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27617[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27603[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27614[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27613[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27608[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27601[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27605[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27529[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27545[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27560[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27587[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27695[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27703[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27511[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27518[15] 8a 10 to 15°F
27697[15] 8a 10 to 15°F

Questions people ask

What growing zone is Raleigh, North Carolina?
The 2023 USDA map puts the center of Raleigh in zone 8a[1]. By land area, 100% of the city lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a[15].
When is the last frost in Raleigh?
At the Raleigh State Univ station, the median last spring frost is March 28[2]. In 1 of 10 years the last frost comes after April 12[2].
When to plant tomatoes in Raleigh?
CSU Extension groups tomatoes as very tender vegetables, typically planted 2 or more weeks after the average last frost[10]. For Raleigh, the earliest start by that rule is April 11[10].
When is the first frost in Raleigh?
The median first fall frost is November 8[3]. In 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 28[3].
How long is the growing season in Raleigh?
In half of years the season between the last spring and first fall frost is at least 229 days[4]. In 9 of 10 years it is at least 208 days[4].

Facts and sources

  1. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map puts the center of Raleigh, North Carolina in zone 8a. Zone 8a means an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 10°F to 15°F over 1991 to 2020. The map's modeled value at the city center is 12.4°F. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)
  2. Last spring frost (32°F) at this station: in 9 of 10 years the last frost comes after March 8, in half of years after March 28, and in 1 of 10 years after April 12 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median last frost date is March 28. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  3. First fall frost (32°F) at this station: in 1 of 10 years the first frost comes before October 28, in half of years before November 8, and in 9 of 10 years before November 27 (NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals). The median first frost date is November 8. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  4. Growing season (days between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) at this station: at least 208 days in 9 of 10 years, at least 229 days in half of years, and at least 255 days in 1 of 10 years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  5. Frost dates on this page come from NOAA climate normals for the Raleigh State Univ weather station (USC00317079), 4.3 miles from the center of Raleigh at 400 feet, using 27 years of records from 1991 to 2020. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  6. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips as hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 2-4 weeks before the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  7. Hard freeze (28°F) at this station: the median last spring date is March 14 and the median first fall date is November 23. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  8. At this station the low reached 32°F or colder in 100% of years from 1991 to 2020, and 28°F or colder in 100% of years. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  9. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash as tender vegetables, with this rule: from seed around the average last spring frost; cucumber and summer squash... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  10. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, winter squash, watermelon as very tender vegetables, with this rule: typically 2 or more weeks after the average last... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  11. Colorado State University Extension's vegetable planting guide (written for Colorado) groups beets, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, potatoes, Swiss chard as semi-hardy vegetables, with this rule: as early as 0-2 weeks before the average last spring frost.... CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  12. GardenFacts calculation: earliest planting date plus CSU days to harvest (table on this page), from the station's median last frost. NOAA Climate Normals 1991-2020
  13. CSU Extension vegetable table: soil temperature, depth, spacing, days to harvest (table on this page). CSU Extension GardenNotes #720
  14. USDA hardiness zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature (the coldest night of each winter, averaged over 1991 to 2020 for the 2023 map), not on summer heat or frost dates. Each zone spans 10°F and each half zone (a or b)... USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  15. Raleigh, North Carolina overlaps 24 ZIP code areas. By land area, 100% lies in ZIP code areas rated zone 8a. USDA zone map 2023 (PRISM, OSU)

Frost dates are probabilities from 1991 to 2020 weather records at one NOAA station, not a forecast. Any year can be earlier or later. The hardiness zone describes the average coldest winter night, not frost dates or summer heat. Spots inside the city can differ (ZIP table). Planting rules come from Colorado State University Extension's guide, written for Colorado. A local extension office may give dates tuned to the area. Planting and harvest dates marked GardenFacts calculation are simple arithmetic from the facts above, not advice from the source.

Hardiness zone data: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed October 30, 2026. This is not the official USDA map. Frost data: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension.