Frost Dates for Winston Salem, NC 27101
Winston Salem has 9 ZIP codes. The Winston Salem, NC frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 9 · First fall frost October 30 · 204 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 27101 has about 23,000 people, one of 9 ZIP codes in Winston Salem.
Long season: 204 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 24–April 25 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 13 (32 days).
Frost probability for 27101
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 25 | April 9 | March 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 30 | November 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GREENSBORO AP (23.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 204-day season in Winston Salem
In Winston Salem (204 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 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 23. | Jun 30 |
| Pepper | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 23. | Jul 5 |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 246 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 19. | Aug 28 |
| Cucumber | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Peas | — | Feb 12–Apr 23 | 267 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 12. | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Onion | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 12–Apr 2 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Kale | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 12. | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 253 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 12. | Aug 28 |
| Radish | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 28 |
| Beets | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 30 | 309 | overwinter: Plant Oct 30 to Nov 20; harvest the following summer. | Nov 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 5–Apr 30 | 260 | 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 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 16. | Jul 12 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 169 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 23. | Jun 17 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 218 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 2. | Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Mar 26 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 12. | Jul 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 169 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 23. | Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 23. | Jul 10 |
| Okra | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Basil | Mar 5 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 12–Apr 2 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Parsley | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 16. | Aug 14 |
| Celery | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 204 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 16. | Jun 25 |
| Scallions | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 12 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 8 |
| Collards | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 162 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 23. | Jun 25 |
| Chives | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 218 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Oregano | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Sage | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 218 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 218 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Cosmos | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Lavender | Jan 15 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Melons | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 162 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 23. | Jun 25 |
| Mint | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 225 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 183 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 16. | Jul 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 23. | Jun 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9. | Jul 24 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 16. | Jul 5 |
| Watermelon | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 16. | Jun 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Zinnias | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
Month by month in Winston Salem
| 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 17), Pumpkin (Jun 17), Cantaloupe (Jun 25), Celery (Jun 25), Melons (Jun 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 27), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 5), Tomatillos (Jul 5), Eggplant (Jul 10), Corn (Jul 12), Sunflowers (Jul 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 29), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 3), Cosmos (Aug 3), Cucumber (Aug 3), Zinnias (Aug 3), Broccoli (Aug 4), Nasturtiums (Aug 8), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 3), Cilantro (Sep 3), Collards (Sep 7), Scallions (Sep 7), Bok Choy (Sep 8), Lettuce (Sep 8), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 30). First frost around October 30. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 20). |
| 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 Winston Salem, NC (ZIP 27101)?
The median last spring frost date for Winston Salem, NC (ZIP code 27101) 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 24; one in ten it runs past April 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Winston Salem, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Winston Salem, NC is around October 30. 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Winston Salem, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Winston Salem is about 204 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 Winston Salem (204 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 Winston Salem, NC?
Winston Salem, 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 Winston Salem, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 5 and plant out Apr 23 in Winston Salem. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Winston Salem?
Two: plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 6.
When do I plant garlic in Winston Salem?
Oct 30 to Nov 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Winston Salem?
Yes: plant out Apr 23 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 30 for a fall crop.
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