Frost Dates for Zebulon, NC 27597
Last spring frost April 5 · First fall frost October 25 · 203 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 27597 has about 30,200 people.
Long season: 203 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 18–April 27 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans October 10–November 8 (29 days).
Frost probability for 27597
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 27 | April 5 | March 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 10 | October 25 | November 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CLAYTON WTP (26.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 203-day season in Zebulon
In Zebulon (203 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 1 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 19. | Jun 25 |
| Pepper | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 19. | Jun 30 |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 15. | Aug 23 |
| Cucumber | Mar 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Beans | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Peas | — | Feb 8–Apr 19 | 266 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 8. | Aug 14 |
| Zucchini | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Onion | Jan 11 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 8–Mar 29 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Kale | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 8. | Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 252 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 8. | Aug 23 |
| Radish | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 23 |
| Beets | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 25 | 308 | overwinter: Plant Oct 25 to Nov 15; harvest the following summer. | Nov 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 1–Apr 26 | 259 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 12. | Jul 7 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19. | Jun 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 217 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 29. | Aug 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Mar 22 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 8. | Jul 24 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19. | Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 19. | Jul 5 |
| Okra | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Basil | Mar 1 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 8–Mar 29 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Parsley | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 12. | Aug 9 |
| Celery | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 203 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 12. | Jun 20 |
| Scallions | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 8 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 3 |
| Collards | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 161 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 19. | Jun 20 |
| Chives | Jan 11 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 8–May 3 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Oregano | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 11 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Sage | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 217 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 25 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Cosmos | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Lavender | Jan 11 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Melons | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 161 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 19. | Jun 20 |
| Mint | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 182 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 12. | Jul 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 19. | Jun 22 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 5. | Jul 19 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 12. | Jun 30 |
| Watermelon | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 12. | Jun 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Zinnias | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
Month by month in Zebulon
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 11), Lavender (Jan 11), Onion (Jan 11), Rosemary (Jan 11), Celery (Jan 25), Collards (Jan 25), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 8), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 8), Cabbage (Feb 8), Lettuce (Feb 8), Sage (Feb 8), Swiss Chard (Feb 8), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 8), Beets (Feb 8), Dill (Feb 8), Peas (Feb 8), Radish (Feb 8), Spinach (Feb 8), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 1), Tomato (Mar 1), Bok Choy (Mar 8), Corn (Mar 8), Cosmos (Mar 8), Nasturtiums (Mar 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 8), Turnip (Mar 8), Carrots (Mar 15), Potatoes (Mar 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 8), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 8), Cabbage (Mar 8), Collards (Mar 8), Kale (Mar 8), Lettuce (Mar 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 1). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 5), Beans (Apr 12), Pole Beans (Apr 12). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 5), Lavender (Apr 5), Marigolds (Apr 5), Mint (Apr 5), Nasturtiums (Apr 5), Zinnias (Apr 5), +23 more. Last frost around April 5. |
| 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 Zebulon, NC (ZIP 27597)?
The median last spring frost date for Zebulon, NC (ZIP code 27597) is around April 5. 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 18; one in ten it runs past April 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Zebulon, NC?
The median first fall frost date for Zebulon, 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 10 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Zebulon, NC?
The frost-free growing season in Zebulon is about 203 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 Zebulon (203 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 Zebulon, NC?
Zebulon, 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 Zebulon, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 1 and plant out Apr 19 in Zebulon. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Zebulon?
Two: plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 1.
When do I plant garlic in Zebulon?
Oct 25 to Nov 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Zebulon?
Yes: plant out Apr 19 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?
Knightdale (ZIP 27545) has 212 frost-free days, 9 more than Zebulon (ZIP 27597). See Knightdale ZIP 27545 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Wendell, NC 27591 (6 mi)
- Frost dates for Knightdale, NC 27545 (10.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Clayton, NC 27527 (13.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Youngsville, NC 27596 (14.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Raleigh, NC 27610 (15.2 mi)
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