Last frost date in Winston-Salem, NC

Average last frost
March 26

The average last frost in Winston-Salem is March 26. By April 11 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 9, which leaves 228 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 28 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 11
Average first frost
Nov 9
Frost-free season
228 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 13
Next 7 nights in Winston-Salem

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2242°
  2. FriOct 2342°
  3. SatOct 2441°
  4. SunOct 2541°
  5. MonOct 2641°
  6. TueOct 2746°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 26First frost Nov 9228 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND228 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Winston Salem Rynlds Airport, 3.0 miles from Winston-Salem.

Planting calendar for Winston-Salem

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 2–Apr 16
PumpkinsApr 9–Apr 23
SunflowersMar 26–Apr 16
CucumbersApr 9–Apr 16
CornApr 2–Apr 16
Sweet potatoesApr 16–Apr 30
WatermelonApr 9–Apr 23
Green beansApr 2–Apr 23
ZucchiniApr 2–Apr 16
OkraApr 16–Apr 30
PeppersApr 9–Apr 23
BasilApr 2–Apr 16
Butternut squashApr 2–Apr 16
CantaloupeApr 9–Apr 23
EggplantApr 9–Apr 23
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 26–Mar 12
OnionsFeb 12–Mar 5
CarrotsMar 5–Apr 9
LettuceMar 12–Apr 2
BroccoliFeb 26–Mar 12
BeetsFeb 26–Apr 9
PeasFeb 12–Feb 26
CabbageFeb 26–Mar 12
RadishesFeb 19–Apr 2
Brussels sproutsMar 12–Mar 26
SpinachFeb 12–Mar 5
CilantroMar 12–Apr 2
KaleFeb 26–Mar 12
Collard greensFeb 26–Mar 12
TurnipsFeb 26–Mar 12
DillMar 26–Apr 9
CeleryApr 2–Apr 9
CauliflowerMar 12–Mar 26
LeeksMar 12–Mar 26
Swiss chardMar 12–Apr 9
ParsleyMar 12–Apr 2
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 26–Nov 30
GarlicOct 19–Nov 23
Daffodil bulbsOct 12–Nov 23
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 26–Mar 12
AsparagusFeb 26–Mar 12

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 6Mar 26Apr 11Oct 28Nov 9Nov 26
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 21Mar 13Mar 30Nov 5Nov 23Dec 14

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 Winston Salem Rynlds Airport (USW00093807) sits 3.0 miles from the center of Winston-Salem at 970 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 Winston-Salem, NC?

The average last frost date in Winston-Salem is March 26, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 11.

When is the first frost in Winston-Salem?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 9. One year in ten it arrives before October 28.

How long is the growing season in Winston-Salem?

About 228 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Winston-Salem?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 2 to April 16. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Carolina

All 52 cities in North Carolina