Frost Dates for Charlotte, NC 28280
Charlotte has 29 ZIP codes. The Charlotte, NC frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 5 · First fall frost November 2 · 211 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
Long season: 211 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 23 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans October 17–November 19 (33 days).
Frost probability for 28280
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 23 | April 5 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 17 | November 2 | November 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GASTONIA (27.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 211-day season in Charlotte
In Charlotte (211 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 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 19. | Jul 3 |
| Pepper | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 19. | Jul 8 |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 15. | Aug 31 |
| Cucumber | Mar 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Beans | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Peas | — | Feb 8–Apr 19 | 274 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 8. | Aug 22 |
| Zucchini | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Onion | Jan 11 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 246 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 8–Mar 29 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Kale | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 8. | Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 8. | Aug 31 |
| Radish | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 2 | 316 | overwinter: Plant Nov 2 to Nov 23; harvest the following summer. | Nov 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 1–Apr 26 | 267 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jul 15 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 19. | Jun 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 29. | Aug 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Mar 22 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 260 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 8. | Aug 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 176 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 19. | Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 19. | Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Basil | Mar 1 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 8–Mar 29 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Parsley | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 12. | Aug 17 |
| Celery | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 211 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 12. | Jun 28 |
| Scallions | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 8 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Collards | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 19. | Jun 28 |
| Chives | Jan 11 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Oregano | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 11 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Sage | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 225 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Cosmos | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Lavender | Jan 11 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Melons | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 169 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 19. | Jun 28 |
| Mint | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 190 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 12. | Aug 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 19. | Jun 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 5. | Jul 27 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | Jul 8 |
| Watermelon | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | Jul 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
Month by month in Charlotte
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 11), Lavender (Jan 11), Onion (Jan 11), Rosemary (Jan 11), Celery (Jan 25), Collards (Jan 25), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 8), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 8), Cabbage (Feb 8), Lettuce (Feb 8), Sage (Feb 8), Swiss Chard (Feb 8), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 8), Beets (Feb 8), Dill (Feb 8), Peas (Feb 8), Radish (Feb 8), Spinach (Feb 8), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 1), Tomato (Mar 1), Bok Choy (Mar 8), Corn (Mar 8), Cosmos (Mar 8), Nasturtiums (Mar 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 8), Turnip (Mar 8), Carrots (Mar 15), Potatoes (Mar 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 8), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 8), Cabbage (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Lettuce (Mar 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 1). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 5), Beans (Apr 12), Pole Beans (Apr 12). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 5), Lavender (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Mint (Apr 5), Nasturtiums (Apr 5), Zinnias (Apr 5), +23 more. Last frost around April 5. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 20), Pumpkin (Jun 20), Cantaloupe (Jun 28), Celery (Jun 28), Melons (Jun 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 3), Watermelon (Jul 3), Pepper (Jul 8), Tomatillos (Jul 8), Eggplant (Jul 13), Corn (Jul 15), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 1), Pole Beans (Aug 1), Basil (Aug 6), Cosmos (Aug 6), Cucumber (Aug 6), Zinnias (Aug 6), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Beets (Sep 1), Dill (Sep 1), Swiss Chard (Sep 1), Calendula (Sep 6), Cilantro (Sep 6), Collards (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Radish (Oct 1). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 2). First frost around November 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 23). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Charlotte, NC (ZIP 28280)?
The median last spring frost date for Charlotte, NC (ZIP code 28280) is around April 5. 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 14; one in ten it runs past April 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Charlotte, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Charlotte, NC is around November 2. 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Charlotte, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Charlotte is about 211 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 Charlotte (211 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 Charlotte, NC?
Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 1 and plant out Apr 19 in Charlotte. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Charlotte?
Two: plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9.
When do I plant garlic in Charlotte?
Nov 2 to Nov 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Charlotte?
Yes: plant out Apr 19 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 3 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Charlotte (ZIP 28210) has 224 frost-free days, 13 more than Charlotte (ZIP 28280). See Charlotte ZIP 28210 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Charlotte, NC 28212 (6.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Charlotte, NC 28210 (6.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Charlotte, NC 28213 (7.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Charlotte, NC 28269 (8 mi)
- Frost dates for Pineville, NC 28134 (10.2 mi)
- When to plant in Charlotte, 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