Planting calendar for North Carolina
Short answer
Most of North Carolina is in climate zone 4, with an average last spring frost around Mar 30 and first fall frost around Nov 10. Plant hardy crops before the last frost, tender crops after. Enter your ZIP for dates tuned to your exact area.
Last spring frost
Mar 30
First fall frost
Nov 10
Climate zone(s)
3, 4, 5
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 23 | Apr 24 |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23 | Apr 9 |
| Radishes | — | Mar 2 | Mar 30 |
| Kale | Feb 23 | Mar 2 | Apr 26 |
| Onions | Jan 19 | Mar 2 | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 | Mar 9 | Apr 28 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 9 | May 18 |
| Beets | — | Mar 9 | May 3 |
| Strawberries | — | Mar 9 | Jun 7 |
| Blueberries | — | Mar 9 | Year 2–3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16 | May 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16 | May 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 16 | Jun 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16 | Apr 30 |
| Blackberries | — | Mar 16 | Year 2–3 |
| Nasturtiums | — | Mar 30 | May 24 |
| Zucchini / squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6 | May 26 |
| Green beans | — | Apr 6 | May 31 |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 6 | Jun 20 |
| Coleus | Jan 19 | Apr 6 | Jun 5 |
| Marigolds | Feb 9 | Apr 6 | May 26 |
| Zinnias | Feb 23 | Apr 6 | Jun 10 |
| Morning glories | Mar 2 | Apr 6 | Jun 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 6 | Jun 25 |
| Tomatoes | Feb 16 | Apr 13 | Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Feb 2 | Apr 13 | Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 | Apr 13 | Jun 7 |
| Pumpkins | Mar 16 | Apr 13 | Aug 1 |
| Basil | Feb 16 | Apr 13 | Jun 12 |
| Peonies | — | Sep 29 | Year 2–3 |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | Jun 17 (next yr) |
| Tulips | — | Nov 17 | May 16 (next yr) |
Dates use zone 4 (most of North Carolina); colder areas run later. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone.
What sets planting dates in North Carolina
Planting dates across North Carolina anchor to two dates. Most of the state sits in climate zone 4, where the average last spring frost lands around Mar 30 and the first fall frost around Nov 10 — a growing season of roughly 225 days. Every crop in the calendar counts forward or backward from those two frosts.
Hardy crops shrug off a light freeze, so they go in weeks before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it, once the soil warms. In North Carolina's zone 4, that's why peas can go out around Feb 23 while tomatoes wait until about Apr 13.
North Carolina isn't a single climate — it spans zones 3, 4, 5, so higher-elevation and northern areas run later than these zone-4 dates. Use this as the state midpoint, then enter your ZIP for frost dates tuned to your exact area.
What sets your dates
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Last spring frost | Tender crops can't go out until it passes — around Mar 30 in North Carolina's zone 4 |
| First fall frost | Sets the harvest deadline — around Nov 10 — for anything still in the ground |
| Climate zone | North Carolina spans zones 3, 4, 5; colder (higher-number) areas run later |
| Crop hardiness | Hardy crops plant before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it |
| Indoor head start | Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) need 6–10 weeks started indoors first |
| Microclimate & elevation | Cold pockets, slopes, and higher ground run later than the state average |
How North Carolina's season compares
| Reference | Growing season |
|---|---|
| Long season (zone 2) | ~293 days · Feb 15 – Dec 5 |
| North Carolina (zone 4) | ~225 days · Mar 30 – Nov 10 |
| Short season (zone 8) | ~96 days · Jun 1 – Sep 5 |
North Carolina planting tips
- Don't rush tender crops out before North Carolina's last frost (around Mar 30) — a single late freeze can wipe out tomatoes and peppers.
- Start cool-season crops (peas, spinach, lettuce) early; they handle North Carolina's spring chill and bolt once summer heat arrives.
- Count backward from Mar 30 to time indoor seed-starting — 6–10 weeks for warm crops that need a head start.
- For a fall harvest, work back from the first frost (around Nov 10) using each crop's days-to-harvest so it matures in time.
Your exact area
Open the planting calendarOther states
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in North Carolina?
Most of North Carolina (zone 4) averages its last spring frost around Mar 30 and first fall frost around Nov 10. Colder parts of the state run later in spring.
When should I plant tomatoes in North Carolina?
Set tomato transplants out around Apr 13 in most of North Carolina — a couple of weeks after the last frost. Start seeds indoors about Feb 16.
What is the growing season in North Carolina?
Roughly Nov 10 minus Mar 30 for zone 4. Cool-season crops extend it on both ends; enter your ZIP for your exact dates.