When to plant in Burlington, NC
USDA Zone 8aBurlington, North Carolina frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Burlington, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
BURLINGTON FIRE STN #5 · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Burlington’s own odds, recorded at BURLINGTON FIRE STN #5.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 2 | Apr 10 | Mar 25 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 | Nov 10 |
| 32°F | Apr 15 | Mar 29 | Mar 8 | Oct 26 | Nov 9 | Nov 25 |
| 28°F | Apr 3 | Mar 15 | Feb 22 | Nov 6 | Nov 23 | Dec 14 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Burlington, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 9 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Burlington planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Burlington, NC?
Burlington's average last spring frost falls near March 29 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Burlington, NC?
Expect Burlington's first fall frost near November 9 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Burlington in?
Burlington is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Burlington?
There are roughly 225 frost-free days in Burlington (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 29 to the first fall frost near November 9.
When should I plant tomatoes in Burlington?
In Burlington, start tomato seeds indoors around February 1–February 15, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 5 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Burlington
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Burlington’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Elon · 5 km
- Graham · 7 km
- Mebane · 17 km
- Greensboro · 32 km
- Reidsville · 35 km
- Carrboro · 38 km
- Summerfield · 41 km
- Chapel Hill · 42 km
Frost dates recorded at BURLINGTON FIRE STN #5, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Burlington, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00311239. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/burlington.