Charlotte, NC planting zone & frost dates
Charlotte is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 30 and the first fall frost around November 3, for a growing season of about 221 days.
Planting calendar for Charlotte
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 30) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2 Transplant outdoors: Apr 6 – Apr 13 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 8 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 3).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 12 | Mar 30 | Apr 14 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 17 | Nov 3 | Oct 22 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 14, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 22. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 17.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Charlotte
- 28201 zone 8a
- 28202 zone 8a
- 28203 zone 8a
- 28204 zone 8a
- 28205 zone 8a
- 28206 zone 8a
- 28207 zone 8a
- 28208 zone 8a
- 28209 zone 8a
- 28210 zone 8a
- 28211 zone 8a
- 28212 zone 8a
- 28213 zone 8a
- 28214 zone 8a
- 28215 zone 8a
- 28216 zone 8a
- 28217 zone 8a
- 28218 zone 8a
- 28219 zone 8a
- 28220 zone 8a
- 28221 zone 8a
- 28222 zone 8a
- 28223 zone 8a
- 28224 zone 8a
- 28226 zone 8a
- 28227 zone 8a
- 28228 zone 8a
- 28229 zone 8a
- 28230 zone 8a
- 28231 zone 8a
- 28232 zone 8a
- 28233 zone 8a
- 28234 zone 8a
- 28235 zone 8a
- 28236 zone 8a
- 28237 zone 8a
- 28241 zone 8a
- 28242 zone 8a
- 28243 zone 8a
- 28244 zone 8a
- 28246 zone 8a
- 28247 zone 8a
- 28253 zone 8a
- 28254 zone 8a
- 28255 zone 8a
- 28256 zone 8a
- 28258 zone 8a
- 28260 zone 8a
- 28262 zone 8a
- 28263 zone 8a
- 28265 zone 8a
- 28266 zone 8a
- 28269 zone 8a
- 28270 zone 8a
- 28271 zone 8a
- 28272 zone 8a
- 28273 zone 8a
- 28274 zone 8a
- 28275 zone 8a
- 28277 zone 8a
- 28278 zone 8a
- 28280 zone 8a
- 28281 zone 8a
- 28282 zone 8a
- 28284 zone 8a
- 28285 zone 8a
- 28287 zone 8a
- 28288 zone 8a
- 28289 zone 8a
- 28290 zone 8a
- 28296 zone 8a
- 28297 zone 8a
- 28299 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Matthews zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- Huntersville zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Mount Holly zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Belmont zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Mint Hill zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- Stallings zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- Harrisburg zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- Weddington zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
Questions
What growing zone is Charlotte, NC?
Charlotte is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Charlotte?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Charlotte is March 30. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 14.
When can I plant tomatoes in Charlotte?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 6 – Apr 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Charlotte Douglas Ap, NC (USW00013881), 10.2 km (6.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 222 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.