In Charlotte, NC, the average last spring frost is Mar 30 and the average first fall frost is Nov 3, which leaves about 221 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Charlotte Douglas Airport, NC weather station, at 728 feet above sea level.
A long season lets you do more than one planting: a spring crop, a second planting of quick crops in summer, and a fall garden. Succession planting works well here. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Apr 14, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 22.
Frost dates for Charlotte, NC
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Mar 12 | Nov 17 | 250 days |
| Average (half of years) | Mar 30 | Nov 3 | 221 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Apr 14 | Oct 22 | 191 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Charlotte, NC
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | – |
| Peppers | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Apr 13 to Apr 20 | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Apr 13 to Apr 20 | – |
| Onions | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | – |
| Parsley | Jan 19 to Feb 2 | Mar 30 to Apr 6 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Mar 16 to Mar 23 | Aug 11 to Sep 8 |
| Basil | Feb 16 to Feb 16 | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Feb 16 to Mar 2 | Aug 11 to Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Feb 16 to Mar 2 | Sep 8 to Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Feb 16 to Mar 2 | Sep 8 to Oct 6 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | Sep 8 to Oct 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | Aug 11 to Sep 8 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | Aug 11 to Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | Aug 11 to Sep 8 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | Sep 8 to Oct 6 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 to Apr 6 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 to Apr 13 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 to Apr 27 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 to Apr 27 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
The National Weather Service forecast shows frost risk on: Sun 15 night (35°F), Mon 16 night (33°F), Tue 17 night (34°F), Wed 18 night (35°F). Cover tender plants before dark on those nights.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 night | 35°F | Frost possible |
| Mon 16 night | 33°F | Frost possible |
| Tue 17 night | 34°F | Frost possible |
| Wed 18 night | 35°F | Frost possible |
| Thu 19 night | 38°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 40°F | No frost expected |
| Sat 21 night | 43°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Charlotte, NC
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Charlotte, NC?
The average last spring frost is Mar 30. A late frost as far out as Apr 14 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Charlotte, NC?
The average first fall frost is Nov 3. It can arrive as early as Oct 22 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Charlotte, NC?
The average freeze-free season is about 221 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Charlotte Douglas Airport, NC station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.