Frost Dates for Salisbury, NC 28146
Last spring frost April 9 · First fall frost October 25 · 199 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 28146 has about 31,300 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Salisbury.
Long season: 199 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 23–April 26 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 9–November 9 (31 days).
Frost probability for 28146
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 26 | April 9 | March 23 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 9 | October 25 | November 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SALISBURY (10.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Salisbury, NC
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28146 | April 9 | October 25 | 8a |
| 28144 | April 9 | October 25 | 8a |
| 28147 | April 9 | October 25 | 7b |
Which crops fit a 199-day season in Salisbury
In Salisbury (199 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 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 23. | Jun 25 |
| Pepper | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 23. | Jun 30 |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 19. | Aug 23 |
| Cucumber | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Peas | — | Feb 12–Apr 23 | 262 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 12. | Aug 14 |
| Zucchini | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Onion | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 234 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 12–Apr 2 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Kale | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 248 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 12. | Aug 23 |
| Radish | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 25 | 304 | overwinter: Plant Oct 25 to Nov 15; harvest the following summer. | Nov 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 5–Apr 30 | 255 | 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 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 16. | Jul 7 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 23. | Jun 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 2. | Aug 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Mar 26 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 248 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 12. | Jul 24 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 23. | Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 23. | Jul 5 |
| Okra | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Basil | Mar 5 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 12–Apr 2 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Parsley | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 16. | Aug 9 |
| Celery | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 199 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 16. | Jun 20 |
| Scallions | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Collards | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 157 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 23. | Jun 20 |
| Chives | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Oregano | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Sage | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Cosmos | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Lavender | Jan 15 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Melons | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 157 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 23. | Jun 20 |
| Mint | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 178 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 16. | Jul 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 23. | Jun 22 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 9. | Jul 19 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 16. | Jun 30 |
| Watermelon | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 16. | Jun 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Zinnias | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
Month by month in Salisbury
| 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 12), Pumpkin (Jun 12), Cantaloupe (Jun 20), Celery (Jun 20), Melons (Jun 20), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 22), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 5), Corn (Jul 7), Sunflowers (Jul 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 24), Pole Beans (Jul 24), Basil (Jul 29), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 3), Okra (Aug 3), Yellow Squash (Aug 3), Zucchini (Aug 3), Cauliflower (Aug 4), Beans (Aug 5), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 2), Scallions (Sep 2), Bok Choy (Sep 3), Lettuce (Sep 3), Kale (Sep 7), Kohlrabi (Sep 7), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 25). First frost around October 25. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 15). |
| 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 Salisbury, NC (ZIP 28146)?
The median last spring frost date for Salisbury, NC (ZIP code 28146) 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 23; one in ten it runs past April 26.
What is the first fall frost date in Salisbury, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Salisbury, NC is around October 25. 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Salisbury, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Salisbury is about 199 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 Salisbury (199 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 Salisbury, NC?
Salisbury, 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 Salisbury, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 5 and plant out Apr 23 in Salisbury. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Salisbury?
Two: plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1.
When do I plant garlic in Salisbury?
Oct 25 to Nov 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Salisbury?
Yes: plant out Apr 23 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 25 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Concord (ZIP 28027) has 210 frost-free days, 11 more than Salisbury (ZIP 28146). See Concord ZIP 28027 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Rockwell, NC 28138 (7.4 mi)
- Frost dates for China Grove, NC 28023 (12.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Lexington, NC 27292 (13.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Kannapolis, NC 28081 (17.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Concord, NC 28027 (21.5 mi)
- 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