Frost Dates for Raeford, NC 28376
Last spring frost March 30 · First fall frost November 5 · 220 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28376 has about 44,900 people.
Long season: 220 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 16 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 18–November 21 (34 days).
Frost probability for 28376
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 16 | March 30 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 18 | November 5 | November 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LAURINBURG (39.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 220-day season in Raeford
In Raeford (220 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 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 13. | Jul 6 |
| Pepper | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 13. | Jul 11 |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 14 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 262 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 9. | Sep 3 |
| Cucumber | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Peas | — | Feb 2–Apr 13 | 283 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 283 available after Feb 2. | Aug 25 |
| Zucchini | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Onion | Jan 5 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 255 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 2–Mar 23 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 26. | Oct 3 |
| Kale | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 255 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 2. | Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 269 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 2. | Sep 3 |
| Radish | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Oct 4 |
| Beets | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 5 | 325 | overwinter: Plant Nov 5 to Nov 26; harvest the following summer. | Nov 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 23–Apr 20 | 276 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 6. | Jul 18 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 13. | Jun 23 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 23. | Aug 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 16 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 26. | Oct 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 269 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 2. | Aug 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 185 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 13. | Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 13. | Jul 16 |
| Okra | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Basil | Feb 23 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 2–Mar 23 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Parsley | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 220 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 6. | Aug 20 |
| Celery | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 220 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 6. | Jul 1 |
| Scallions | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 18 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 2 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 14 |
| Collards | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 178 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 13. | Jul 1 |
| Chives | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 283 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Oregano | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 220 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Sage | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Cosmos | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Lavender | Jan 5 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Melons | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 178 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 13. | Jul 1 |
| Mint | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 199 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 6. | Aug 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 13. | Jul 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 30. | Jul 30 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 6. | Jul 11 |
| Watermelon | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 6. | Jul 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Zinnias | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
Month by month in Raeford
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 5), Lavender (Jan 5), Onion (Jan 5), Rosemary (Jan 5), Celery (Jan 19), Collards (Jan 19), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 2), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 2), Cabbage (Feb 2), Lettuce (Feb 2), Sage (Feb 2), Swiss Chard (Feb 2), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 2), Beets (Feb 2), Dill (Feb 2), Peas (Feb 2), Radish (Feb 2), Spinach (Feb 2), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 2), Corn (Mar 2), Cosmos (Mar 2), Nasturtiums (Mar 2), Okra (Mar 2), Zinnias (Mar 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 2), Turnip (Mar 2), Carrots (Mar 9), Potatoes (Mar 16), Sunflowers (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), +12 more. Last frost around March 30. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 6), Pole Beans (Apr 6). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 6), Chives (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Oregano (Apr 6), Parsley (Apr 6), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 23), Pumpkin (Jun 23). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 1), Celery (Jul 1), Melons (Jul 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 3), Tomato (Jul 6), Watermelon (Jul 6), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 4), Pole Beans (Aug 4), Basil (Aug 9), Cosmos (Aug 9), Cucumber (Aug 9), Zinnias (Aug 9), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 3), Carrots (Sep 3), Beets (Sep 4), Dill (Sep 4), Swiss Chard (Sep 4), Calendula (Sep 9), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 3), Spinach (Oct 3), Radish (Oct 4). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 5). First frost around November 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 26). |
| 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 Raeford, NC (ZIP 28376)?
The median last spring frost date for Raeford, NC (ZIP code 28376) is around March 30. 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 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Raeford, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Raeford, NC is around November 5. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Raeford, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Raeford is about 220 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 Raeford (220 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 Raeford, NC?
Raeford, 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 Raeford, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 23 and plant out Apr 13 in Raeford. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Raeford?
Two: plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 12.
When do I plant garlic in Raeford?
Nov 5 to Nov 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Raeford?
Yes: plant out Apr 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 6 for a fall crop.
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