Frost Dates for Carthage, NC 28327
Last spring frost April 12 · First fall frost October 25 · 196 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28327 has about 19,400 people.
Long season: 196 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 21–April 28 (38 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 11 (30 days).
Frost probability for 28327
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 12 | March 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 25 | November 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SILER CITY 2 N (45.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 196-day season in Carthage
In Carthage (196 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 26. | Jun 25 |
| Pepper | Mar 1 | Apr 26–May 3 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 26. | Jun 30 |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 22. | Aug 23 |
| Cucumber | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Beans | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Peas | — | Feb 15–Apr 26 | 259 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 15. | Aug 14 |
| Zucchini | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Onion | Jan 18 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 15–Apr 5 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 15. | Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 15. | Aug 23 |
| Radish | — | Feb 15–May 10 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | Feb 15–May 10 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 25 | 301 | overwinter: Plant Oct 25 to Nov 15; harvest the following summer. | Nov 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 8–May 3 | 252 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 8; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19. | Jul 7 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 29 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 161 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 26. | Jun 12 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 210 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 5. | Aug 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Mar 29 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 15–May 10 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 245 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 15. | Jul 24 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 161 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 26. | Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 154 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 26. | Jul 5 |
| Okra | Mar 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Basil | Mar 8 | May 3–May 3 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 15–Apr 5 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Parsley | Feb 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 19. | Aug 9 |
| Celery | Feb 1 | Apr 19–May 3 | 196 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 19. | Jun 20 |
| Scallions | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Collards | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 154 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 26. | Jun 20 |
| Chives | Jan 18 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 15–May 10 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Oregano | Feb 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 210 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 18 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Sage | Feb 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 210 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Cosmos | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Lavender | Jan 18 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Melons | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 154 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 26. | Jun 20 |
| Mint | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 175 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 19. | Jul 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 26. | Jun 22 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 12. | Jul 19 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 19. | Jun 30 |
| Watermelon | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 19. | Jun 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Zinnias | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
Month by month in Carthage
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 18), Lavender (Jan 18), Onion (Jan 18), Rosemary (Jan 18). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 1), Collards (Feb 1), Kale (Feb 1), Oregano (Feb 1), Parsley (Feb 1), Scallions (Feb 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 15), Beets (Feb 15), Dill (Feb 15), Peas (Feb 15), Radish (Feb 15), Spinach (Feb 15). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 1), Cauliflower (Mar 1), Marigolds (Mar 1), Pepper (Mar 1), Basil (Mar 8), Tomato (Mar 8), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 1), Cilantro (Mar 15), Turnip (Mar 15), Carrots (Mar 22), Potatoes (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 15), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 15), Cabbage (Mar 15), Collards (Mar 15), Kale (Mar 15), Lettuce (Mar 15), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 8). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 12), Beans (Apr 19), Pole Beans (Apr 19). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 5), Cauliflower (Apr 5), Cosmos (Apr 12), Lavender (Apr 12), Marigolds (Apr 12), Mint (Apr 12), +24 more. Last frost around April 12. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 3). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 12), Pumpkin (Jun 12), Cantaloupe (Jun 20), Celery (Jun 20), Melons (Jun 20), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 22), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 5), Corn (Jul 7), Sunflowers (Jul 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 24), Pole Beans (Jul 24), Basil (Jul 29), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 3), Okra (Aug 3), Yellow Squash (Aug 3), Zucchini (Aug 3), Cauliflower (Aug 4), Beans (Aug 5), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 2), Scallions (Sep 2), Bok Choy (Sep 3), Lettuce (Sep 3), Kale (Sep 7), Kohlrabi (Sep 7), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 25). First frost around October 25. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 15). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Carthage, NC (ZIP 28327)?
The median last spring frost date for Carthage, NC (ZIP code 28327) is around April 12. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 21; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Carthage, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Carthage, NC is around October 25. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Carthage, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Carthage is about 196 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Carthage (196 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Carthage, NC?
Carthage, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Carthage, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 8 and plant out Apr 26 in Carthage. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Carthage?
Two: plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1.
When do I plant garlic in Carthage?
Oct 25 to Nov 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Carthage?
Yes: plant out Apr 26 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 25 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Pinehurst (ZIP 28374) has 216 frost-free days, 20 more than Carthage (ZIP 28327). See Pinehurst ZIP 28374 frost dates
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