Frost Dates for Raleigh, NC 27603
Raleigh has 17 ZIP codes. The Raleigh, NC frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 4 · First fall frost November 2 · 212 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 27603 has about 54,000 people, one of 17 ZIP codes in Raleigh.
Long season: 212 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 15–April 20 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans October 17–November 18 (32 days).
Frost probability for 27603
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | April 4 | March 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 17 | November 2 | November 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RALEIGH 4 SW (7.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 212-day season in Raleigh
In Raleigh (212 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 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 18. | Jul 3 |
| Pepper | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 170 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 18. | Jul 8 |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 254 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 14. | Aug 31 |
| Cucumber | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Peas | — | Feb 7–Apr 18 | 275 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 275 available after Feb 7. | Aug 22 |
| Zucchini | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Onion | Jan 10 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 247 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 7–Mar 28 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Kale | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 247 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 7. | Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 261 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 7. | Aug 31 |
| Radish | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 2 | 317 | overwinter: Plant Nov 2 to Nov 23; harvest the following summer. | Nov 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 28–Apr 25 | 268 | 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 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 11. | Jul 15 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 177 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 18. | Jun 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 226 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 28. | Aug 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 261 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 7. | Aug 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 177 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 18. | Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 18. | Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Basil | Feb 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 7–Mar 28 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Parsley | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 11. | Aug 17 |
| Celery | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 212 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 11. | Jun 28 |
| Scallions | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 7 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Collards | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 170 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 18. | Jun 28 |
| Chives | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 226 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Oregano | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 226 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Sage | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 226 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 226 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Cosmos | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Lavender | Jan 10 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Melons | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 170 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 18. | Jun 28 |
| Mint | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11. | Aug 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 18. | Jun 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 198 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 4. | Jul 27 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | Jul 8 |
| Watermelon | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 11. | Jul 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
Month by month in Raleigh
| 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 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 Raleigh, NC (ZIP 27603)?
The median last spring frost date for Raleigh, NC (ZIP code 27603) 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 15; one in ten it runs past April 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Raleigh, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Raleigh is about 212 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 Raleigh (212 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 Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 28 and plant out Apr 18 in Raleigh. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Raleigh?
Two: plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9.
When do I plant garlic in Raleigh?
Nov 2 to Nov 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Raleigh?
Yes: plant out Apr 18 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 3 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- Frost dates for Raleigh, NC 27610 (8.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Clayton, NC 27520 (11.3 mi)
- When to plant in Raleigh, NC: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in NC
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- When to plant Cucumbers in NC
- When to plant Zucchini in NC
- When to plant Butternut Squash in NC
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