Last frost date in Carrboro, NC
The average last frost in Carrboro is March 31. By April 14 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 3, which leaves 218 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 23 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 14
- Average first frost
- Nov 3
- Frost-free season
- 218 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 19
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2241°
- FriOct 2342°
- SatOct 2442°
- SunOct 2542°
- MonOct 2643°
- TueOct 2748°
- WedOct 2849°
Planting calendar for Carrboro
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across North Carolina.
TomatoesApr 7–Apr 21
PumpkinsApr 14–Apr 28
SunflowersMar 31–Apr 21
CucumbersApr 14–Apr 21
CornApr 7–Apr 21
Sweet potatoesApr 21–May 5
WatermelonApr 14–Apr 28
Green beansApr 7–Apr 28
ZucchiniApr 7–Apr 21
OkraApr 21–May 5
PeppersApr 14–Apr 28
BasilApr 7–Apr 21
Butternut squashApr 7–Apr 21
CantaloupeApr 14–Apr 28
EggplantApr 14–Apr 28
PotatoesMar 3–Mar 17
OnionsFeb 17–Mar 10
CarrotsMar 10–Apr 14
LettuceMar 17–Apr 7
BroccoliMar 3–Mar 17
BeetsMar 3–Apr 14
PeasFeb 17–Mar 3
CabbageMar 3–Mar 17
RadishesFeb 24–Apr 7
Brussels sproutsMar 17–Mar 31
SpinachFeb 17–Mar 10
CilantroMar 17–Apr 7
KaleMar 3–Mar 17
Collard greensMar 3–Mar 17
TurnipsMar 3–Mar 17
DillMar 31–Apr 14
CeleryApr 7–Apr 14
CauliflowerMar 17–Mar 31
LeeksMar 17–Mar 31
Swiss chardMar 17–Apr 14
ParsleyMar 17–Apr 7
Tulip bulbsOct 20–Nov 24
GarlicOct 13–Nov 17
Daffodil bulbsOct 6–Nov 17
StrawberriesMar 3–Mar 17
AsparagusMar 3–Mar 17Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 16 | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Oct 23 | Nov 3 | Nov 19 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 1 | Mar 19 | Apr 1 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 | Dec 3 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Chapel Hill 2 W (USC00311677) sits 1.3 miles from the center of Carrboro at 500 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Carrboro, NC?
The average last frost date in Carrboro is March 31, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 14.
When is the first frost in Carrboro?
The first frost in fall usually comes around November 3. One year in ten it arrives before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Carrboro?
About 218 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Carrboro?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 7 to April 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in North Carolina
- Chapel HillMar 29
- DurhamApr 2
- MebaneApr 4
- MorrisvilleMar 31
- CaryMar 27
- ApexMar 27
- GrahamApr 4
- Holly SpringsApr 6
- BurlingtonMar 29
- RaleighMar 28
- Fuquay-VarinaApr 1
- SanfordApr 10