Last frost date in Raleigh, NC

Average last frost
March 28

In Raleigh, the last spring frost comes around March 28 in an average year. Wait until April 12 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 8, which leaves 229 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 28 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 12
Average first frost
Nov 8
Frost-free season
229 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 14
Next 7 nights in Raleigh

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2346°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2544°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2851°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 28First frost Nov 8229 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND229 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Raleigh State University, 4.3 miles from Raleigh.

Planting calendar for Raleigh

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across North Carolina.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 4–Apr 18
PumpkinsApr 11–Apr 25
SunflowersMar 28–Apr 18
CucumbersApr 11–Apr 18
CornApr 4–Apr 18
Sweet potatoesApr 18–May 2
WatermelonApr 11–Apr 25
Green beansApr 4–Apr 25
ZucchiniApr 4–Apr 18
OkraApr 18–May 2
PeppersApr 11–Apr 25
BasilApr 4–Apr 18
Butternut squashApr 4–Apr 18
CantaloupeApr 11–Apr 25
EggplantApr 11–Apr 25
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 28–Mar 14
OnionsFeb 14–Mar 7
CarrotsMar 7–Apr 11
LettuceMar 14–Apr 4
BroccoliFeb 28–Mar 14
BeetsFeb 28–Apr 11
PeasFeb 14–Feb 28
CabbageFeb 28–Mar 14
RadishesFeb 21–Apr 4
Brussels sproutsMar 14–Mar 28
SpinachFeb 14–Mar 7
CilantroMar 14–Apr 4
KaleFeb 28–Mar 14
Collard greensFeb 28–Mar 14
TurnipsFeb 28–Mar 14
DillMar 28–Apr 11
CeleryApr 4–Apr 11
CauliflowerMar 14–Mar 28
LeeksMar 14–Mar 28
Swiss chardMar 14–Apr 11
ParsleyMar 14–Apr 4
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 25–Nov 29
GarlicOct 18–Nov 22
Daffodil bulbsOct 11–Nov 22
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 28–Mar 14
AsparagusFeb 28–Mar 14

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 8Mar 28Apr 12Oct 28Nov 8Nov 27
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 22Mar 14Mar 31Nov 6Nov 23Dec 15

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 Raleigh State University (USC00317079) sits 4.3 miles from the center of Raleigh at 400 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 Raleigh, NC?

The average last frost date in Raleigh is March 28, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 12.

When is the first frost in Raleigh?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 8. One year in ten it arrives before October 28.

How long is the growing season in Raleigh?

About 229 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Raleigh?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 4 to April 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Carolina

All 52 cities in North Carolina