When to plant in Carrboro, NC
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Carrboro, North Carolina — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Carrboro, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
CHAPEL HILL 2 W · 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 Carrboro’s own odds, recorded at CHAPEL HILL 2 W.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 30 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | Oct 14 | Oct 26 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | Mar 16 | Oct 23 | Nov 3 | Nov 19 |
| 28°F | Apr 1 | Mar 19 | Mar 1 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 | Dec 3 |
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 Carrboro, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 5 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.
Carrboro planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Carrboro, NC?
On average, the last spring frost in Carrboro is around March 31 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Carrboro, NC?
Expect Carrboro's first fall frost near November 3 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Carrboro in?
Carrboro is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Carrboro?
There are roughly 217 frost-free days in Carrboro (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 31 to the first fall frost near November 3.
When should I plant tomatoes in Carrboro?
In Carrboro, start tomato seeds indoors around February 3–February 17, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Carrboro
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Carrboro’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Chapel Hill · 4 km
- Durham · 18 km
- Mebane · 24 km
- Morrisville · 24 km
- Cary · 29 km
- Apex · 29 km
- Graham · 31 km
- Holly Springs · 38 km
Frost dates recorded at CHAPEL HILL 2 W, 2 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 Carrboro, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00311677. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/carrboro.