Lexington, NC planting zone & frost dates
Lexington is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 11 and the first fall frost around October 28, for a growing season of about 199 days.
Planting calendar for Lexington
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 11) 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 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 28).
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 28 | Apr 11 | Apr 26 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 7 | Oct 28 | Oct 14 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 26, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 14. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 30.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Lexington
- 27292 zone 8a
- 27293 zone 8a
- 27294 zone 8a
- 27295 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Thomasville zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Clemmons zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
- Salisbury zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
- Winston-Salem zone 8a, last frost Mar 26
- High Point zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Archdale zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Lewisville zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
- Kernersville zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
Questions
What growing zone is Lexington, NC?
Lexington is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 7b.
When is the last frost in Lexington?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Lexington is April 11. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 26.
When can I plant tomatoes in Lexington?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 18 – Apr 25. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Lexington, NC (USC00314970), 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from the city center, elevation 232 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.