Raleigh, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Raleigh garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 28
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
225 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
8a
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 8 Mar 28 Apr 12
First fall frost Nov 27 Nov 8 Oct 28
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 14 · first Nov 23

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Raleigh State Univ station (5 km from central Raleigh). "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Raleigh

Computed from Raleigh's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 31 – Feb 14 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🫑 Peppers Jan 17 – Jan 31 Apr 11 – Apr 18
🥬 Lettuce Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14 Feb 28 – Mar 28
🫛 Peas Feb 14 – Feb 28
🥕 Carrots Mar 7 – Mar 28
🥦 Broccoli Feb 7 – Feb 21 Mar 7 – Mar 21
🥬 Kale Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14 Feb 28 – Mar 14
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 28 – Mar 7 Apr 4 – Apr 11 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🥒 Zucchini Feb 28 – Mar 7 Apr 4 – Apr 11 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 4 – Apr 11
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 4 – Apr 11
🌿 Basil Feb 14 – Feb 28 Apr 4 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 18
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 27 – Oct 25

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Raleigh's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Raleigh

With roughly 225 frost-free days, Raleigh gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 8 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Raleigh, NC?

The average last spring frost in Raleigh is around Mar 28, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Raleigh, NC?

The average first fall frost in Raleigh arrives around Nov 8. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Raleigh?

About 225 frost-free days on average, from Mar 28 to Nov 8. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Raleigh in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.