Frost Dates for Durham, NC 27709
Durham has 9 ZIP codes. The Durham, NC frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 9 · First fall frost October 28 · 202 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
Long season: 202 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 22–April 25 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 11 (28 days).
Frost probability for 27709
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 25 | April 9 | March 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 28 | November 11 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at DURHAM (16.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 202-day season in Durham
In Durham (202 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 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 23. | Jun 28 |
| Pepper | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 23. | Jul 3 |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 244 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 19. | Aug 26 |
| Cucumber | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Peas | — | Feb 12–Apr 23 | 265 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 265 available after Feb 12. | Aug 17 |
| Zucchini | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Onion | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 12–Apr 2 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Kale | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 237 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 12. | Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 251 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 12. | Aug 26 |
| Radish | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 26 |
| Beets | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 28 | 307 | overwinter: Plant Oct 28 to Nov 18; harvest the following summer. | Nov 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 5–Apr 30 | 258 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 16. | Jul 10 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 23. | Jun 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 216 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 2. | Aug 7 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Mar 26 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 279 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 251 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 12. | Jul 27 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 23. | Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 23. | Jul 8 |
| Okra | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Basil | Mar 5 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 12–Apr 2 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Parsley | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 16. | Aug 12 |
| Celery | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 202 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 16. | Jun 23 |
| Scallions | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 6 |
| Collards | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 160 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 23. | Jun 23 |
| Chives | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Oregano | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 216 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Sage | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 216 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 216 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 216 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Cosmos | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Lavender | Jan 15 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Melons | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 160 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 23. | Jun 23 |
| Mint | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 181 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 16. | Jul 27 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 23. | Jun 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 9. | Jul 22 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 16. | Jul 3 |
| Watermelon | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 16. | Jun 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Zinnias | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
Month by month in Durham
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 15), Lavender (Jan 15), Onion (Jan 15), Rosemary (Jan 15), Celery (Jan 29), Collards (Jan 29), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 12), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 12), Cabbage (Feb 12), Lettuce (Feb 12), Sage (Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Feb 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 12), Beets (Feb 12), Dill (Feb 12), Peas (Feb 12), Radish (Feb 12), Spinach (Feb 12), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 5), Tomato (Mar 5), Bok Choy (Mar 12), Corn (Mar 12), Cosmos (Mar 12), Nasturtiums (Mar 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 12), Turnip (Mar 12), Carrots (Mar 19), Potatoes (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Collards (Mar 12), Kale (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 5). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 9), Beans (Apr 16), Pole Beans (Apr 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 9), Lavender (Apr 9), Marigolds (Apr 9), Mint (Apr 9), +25 more. Last frost around April 9. |
| 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 Durham, NC (ZIP 27709)?
The median last spring frost date for Durham, NC (ZIP code 27709) is around April 9. 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 22; one in ten it runs past April 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Durham, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Durham, 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 Durham, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Durham is about 202 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 Durham (202 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 Durham, NC?
Durham, 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 Durham, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 5 and plant out Apr 23 in Durham. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Durham?
Two: plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 4.
When do I plant garlic in Durham?
Oct 28 to Nov 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Durham?
Yes: plant out Apr 23 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 Morrisville, NC 27560 (4.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Durham, NC 27703 (4.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Cary, NC 27519 (7.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (10.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Carrboro, NC 27510 (12 mi)
- When to plant in Durham, 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