Frost Dates for Cary, NC 27518
Last spring frost April 4 · First fall frost October 28 · 207 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 27518 has about 19,700 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Cary.
Long season: 207 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 19–April 20 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 12 (29 days).
Frost probability for 27518
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | April 4 | March 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 28 | November 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RALEIGH 4 SW (8.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 207-day season in Cary
In Cary (207 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 | Feb 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 18. | Jun 28 |
| Pepper | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 18. | Jul 3 |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 249 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 14. | Aug 26 |
| Cucumber | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Peas | — | Feb 7–Apr 18 | 270 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 7. | Aug 17 |
| Zucchini | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Onion | Jan 10 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 7–Mar 28 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Kale | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 242 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 7. | Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 7. | Aug 26 |
| Radish | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 26 |
| Beets | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 28 | 312 | overwinter: Plant Oct 28 to Nov 18; harvest the following summer. | Nov 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 28–Apr 25 | 263 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 11. | Jul 10 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 172 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 18. | Jun 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 221 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 28. | Aug 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 256 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 7. | Jul 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 172 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 18. | Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 18. | Jul 8 |
| Okra | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Basil | Feb 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 7–Mar 28 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Parsley | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 11. | Aug 12 |
| Celery | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 207 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 11. | Jun 23 |
| Scallions | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 7 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Collards | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 165 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 18. | Jun 23 |
| Chives | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Oregano | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Sage | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 221 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Cosmos | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Lavender | Jan 10 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Melons | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 165 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 18. | Jun 23 |
| Mint | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 186 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 11. | Jul 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 18. | Jun 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 193 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 4. | Jul 22 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 11. | Jul 3 |
| Watermelon | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 11. | Jun 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Zinnias | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
Month by month in Cary
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 10), Lavender (Jan 10), Onion (Jan 10), Rosemary (Jan 10), Celery (Jan 24), Collards (Jan 24), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 7), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 7), Cabbage (Feb 7), Lettuce (Feb 7), Sage (Feb 7), Swiss Chard (Feb 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 7), Beets (Feb 7), Dill (Feb 7), Peas (Feb 7), Radish (Feb 7), Spinach (Feb 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 7), Corn (Mar 7), Cosmos (Mar 7), Nasturtiums (Mar 7), Okra (Mar 7), Zinnias (Mar 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 7), Turnip (Mar 7), Carrots (Mar 14), Potatoes (Mar 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Collards (Mar 7), Kale (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 4), Beans (Apr 11), Pole Beans (Apr 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 4), Lavender (Apr 4), Marigolds (Apr 4), Mint (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +23 more. Last frost around April 4. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 15), Pumpkin (Jun 15), Cantaloupe (Jun 23), Celery (Jun 23), Melons (Jun 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 25), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 3), Tomatillos (Jul 3), Eggplant (Jul 8), Corn (Jul 10), Sunflowers (Jul 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 27), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 1), Cosmos (Aug 1), Cucumber (Aug 1), Zinnias (Aug 1), Broccoli (Aug 2), Nasturtiums (Aug 6), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 1), Cilantro (Sep 1), Collards (Sep 5), Scallions (Sep 5), Bok Choy (Sep 6), Lettuce (Sep 6), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 28). First frost around October 28. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 18). |
| 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 Cary, NC (ZIP 27518)?
The median last spring frost date for Cary, NC (ZIP code 27518) is around April 4. 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 19; one in ten it runs past April 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Cary, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Cary, NC is around October 28. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Cary, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Cary is about 207 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 Cary (207 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 Cary, NC?
Cary, 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 Cary, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 28 and plant out Apr 18 in Cary. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Cary?
Two: plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4.
When do I plant garlic in Cary?
Oct 28 to Nov 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Cary?
Yes: plant out Apr 18 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 28 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Apex, NC 27502 (7.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Cary, NC 27519 (8.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Morrisville, NC 27560 (9.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Holly Springs, NC 27540 (9.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Raleigh, NC 27609 (11.2 mi)
- When to plant in Cary, NC: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in NC
- When to plant Peppers in NC
- When to plant Cucumbers in NC
- When to plant Zucchini in NC
- When to plant Butternut Squash in NC
- When to plant Basil in NC
- When to plant Sweet Corn in NC
- Look up another ZIP