In Raleigh, NC, the average last spring frost is Mar 31 and the average first fall frost is Nov 4, which leaves about 219 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Raleigh Durham International Airport, NC weather station, at 416 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 16, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 23.
Frost dates for Raleigh, 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 15 | Nov 17 | 247 days |
| Average (half of years) | Mar 31 | Nov 4 | 219 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Apr 16 | Oct 23 | 190 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 Raleigh, 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 3 to Feb 17 | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | – |
| Peppers | Jan 20 to Feb 3 | Apr 14 to Apr 21 | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 to Feb 3 | Apr 14 to Apr 21 | – |
| Onions | Jan 20 to Feb 3 | Mar 3 to Mar 17 | – |
| Parsley | Jan 20 to Feb 3 | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | Mar 17 to Mar 24 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Basil | Feb 17 to Feb 17 | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Feb 17 to Mar 3 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Feb 17 to Mar 3 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Feb 17 to Mar 3 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 to Mar 17 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 to Mar 17 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 to Mar 17 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 to Mar 17 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 to Mar 17 | Aug 12 to Sep 9 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 to Mar 31 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 to Mar 31 | Sep 9 to Oct 7 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | Jul 22 to Aug 5 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 to Apr 28 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 to Apr 28 | – |
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 (34°F), Mon 16 night (32°F), Tue 17 night (33°F), Wed 18 night (33°F), Thu 19 night (36°F). Cover tender plants before dark on those nights.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 night | 34°F | Frost possible |
| Mon 16 night | 32°F | Freeze |
| Tue 17 night | 33°F | Frost possible |
| Wed 18 night | 33°F | Frost possible |
| Thu 19 night | 36°F | Frost possible |
| Fri 20 night | 38°F | No frost expected |
| Sat 21 night | 41°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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC?
The average last spring frost is Mar 31. A late frost as far out as Apr 16 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 Raleigh, NC?
The average first fall frost is Nov 4. It can arrive as early as Oct 23 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Raleigh, NC?
The average freeze-free season is about 219 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 Raleigh Durham International 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.