Frost Dates for Concord, NC 28027

Last spring frost April 5 · First fall frost November 1 · 210 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a

ZIP 28027 has about 81,800 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Concord.

Long season: 210 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 17–April 23 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans October 16–November 16 (31 days).

Frost probability for 28027

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)April 23April 5March 17
Fall (first frost)October 16November 1November 16

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CONCORD (10.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Frost dates by ZIP code in Concord, NC

ZIPLast spring frost (50%)First fall frost (50%)Zone
28027April 5November 18a
28025April 9October 268a

Which crops fit a 210-day season in Concord

In Concord (210 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 1Apr 19–Apr 26168fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19.Jul 2
PepperFeb 22Apr 19–Apr 26168fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19.Jul 7
LettuceFeb 8Mar 8–Mar 15245two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 10
Carrots—Mar 15–Mar 22252fits: 70 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 15.Aug 30
CucumberMar 15Apr 19–Apr 26182two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
Beans—Apr 12–Apr 26196two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25.Aug 12
Peas—Feb 8–Apr 19273fits: 65 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 8.Aug 21
ZucchiniMar 22Apr 19–Apr 26182two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
OnionJan 11Mar 8–Mar 22245fits: 100 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 8.—
Spinach—Feb 8–Mar 29287two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 29
KaleJan 25Mar 8–Mar 22259two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 14
BroccoliFeb 8Mar 8–Mar 22245fits: 80 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 8.Aug 6
CabbageFeb 8Mar 8–Mar 22259fits: 70 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 8.Aug 30
Radish—Feb 8–May 3273two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 30
Beets—Feb 8–May 3273two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 31
Potatoes—Mar 22–Mar 29231fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 22.—
Garlic—Nov 1315overwinter: Plant Nov 1 to Nov 22; harvest the following summer.Nov 22
Strawberry—Mar 1–Apr 26266perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornMar 8Apr 12–Apr 19182fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 12.Jul 14
PumpkinMar 22Apr 19–Apr 19175fits: 100 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 19.Jun 19
CauliflowerFeb 22Mar 29–Apr 12224fits: 75 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 29.Aug 11
Swiss ChardFeb 8Mar 22–Mar 22231two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 31
Arugula—Feb 8–May 3287two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 29
Brussel SproutsFeb 8Mar 8–Mar 22259fits: 100 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 8.Jul 31
Butternut SquashMar 22Apr 19–Apr 26175fits: 100 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 19.Jun 19
EggplantFeb 15Apr 19–Apr 26168fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19.Jul 12
OkraMar 8Apr 12–Apr 19189two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
BasilMar 1Apr 26–Apr 26175two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
Cilantro—Mar 8–Mar 29245two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 5
ParsleyJan 25Apr 12–Apr 19210fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 12.Aug 16
CeleryJan 25Apr 12–Apr 26210fits: 120 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 12.Jun 27
ScallionsJan 25Mar 8–Mar 22259two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 9
Turnip—Mar 8–Mar 22259two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 19
Kohlrabi—Feb 22–Mar 8273two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 14
Bok ChoyMar 8Mar 29–Apr 5224two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 10
CollardsJan 25Mar 8–Mar 22259two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22.Sep 9
CantaloupeMar 22Apr 19–Apr 26168fits: 85 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19.Jun 27
ChivesJan 11Apr 12–Apr 19224fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 12.—
Dill—Feb 8–May 3273two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8.Aug 31
OreganoJan 25Apr 12–Apr 19224fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 12.—
RosemaryJan 11Apr 12–Apr 19210fits: 80 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 12.—
SageFeb 8Apr 12–Apr 19224fits: 75 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 12.—
ThymeJan 25Apr 12–Apr 19224fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 12.—
CalendulaFeb 22Mar 22–Apr 5231two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8.Sep 5
CosmosMar 8Apr 5–Apr 19196two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5
LavenderJan 11Apr 5–Apr 19231fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 5.—
MarigoldsFeb 22Apr 5–Apr 12196two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 15
MelonsMar 22Apr 19–Apr 26168fits: 85 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19.Jun 27
Mint—Apr 5–Apr 19231fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 5.—
NasturtiumsMar 8Apr 5–Apr 12196two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
Pole Beans—Apr 12–Apr 26189fits: 65 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 12.Jul 31
Spaghetti SquashMar 22Apr 19–Apr 26175fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 19.Jun 29
Sunflowers—Apr 5–Apr 19196fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 5.Jul 26
TomatillosFeb 8Apr 12–Apr 19175fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 12.Jul 7
WatermelonMar 22Apr 12–Apr 19175fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 12.Jul 2
Yellow SquashMar 22Apr 19–Apr 26182two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 10
ZinniasMar 8Apr 5–Apr 19196two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18.Aug 5

Month by month in Concord

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Chives (Jan 11), Lavender (Jan 11), Onion (Jan 11), Rosemary (Jan 11), Celery (Jan 25), Collards (Jan 25), +5 more.
FebruaryStart 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.
MarchStart 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).
AprilDirect 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.
MayFrost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 19), Pumpkin (Jun 19), Cantaloupe (Jun 27), Celery (Jun 27), Melons (Jun 27), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 29).
JulyLast sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 2), Watermelon (Jul 2), Pepper (Jul 7), Tomatillos (Jul 7), Eggplant (Jul 12), Corn (Jul 14), +3 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Basil (Aug 5), Cosmos (Aug 5), Cucumber (Aug 5), Zinnias (Aug 5), Broccoli (Aug 6), Nasturtiums (Aug 10), +13 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 5), Cilantro (Sep 5), Collards (Sep 9), Scallions (Sep 9), Bok Choy (Sep 10), Lettuce (Sep 10), +6 more.
OctoberFirst fall frost approaching (around November 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes.
NovemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Nov 1). First frost around November 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 22).
DecemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Concord, NC (ZIP 28027)?

The median last spring frost date for Concord, NC (ZIP code 28027) 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 17; one in ten it runs past April 23.

What is the first fall frost date in Concord, NC?

The median first fall frost date for Concord, NC is around November 1. 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Concord, NC?

The frost-free growing season in Concord is about 210 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 Concord (210 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 Concord, NC?

Concord, 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 Concord, NC?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 1 and plant out Apr 19 in Concord. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Concord?

Two: plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.

When do I plant garlic in Concord?

Nov 1 to Nov 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I get two tomato crops in Concord?

Yes: plant out Apr 19 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 2 for a fall crop.

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