When to plant in Cary, NC
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Cary, North Carolina — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 8a, Cary supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
APEX · 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 Cary’s own odds, recorded at APEX.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 21 | Apr 7 | Mar 23 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 11 |
| 32°F | Apr 10 | Mar 27 | Mar 8 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 | Nov 24 |
| 28°F | Mar 31 | Mar 15 | Feb 24 | Nov 5 | Nov 21 | Dec 12 |
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 Cary, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 11 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.
Cary planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Cary, NC?
On average, the last spring frost in Cary is around March 27 (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 Cary, NC?
The first fall frost in Cary typically arrives around November 8 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Cary in?
Cary is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Cary?
Cary has about 226 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 27) and first fall frost (November 8).
When should I plant tomatoes in Cary?
For Cary, sow tomatoes indoors about January 30–February 13 and move the seedlings out around April 3, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Cary
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Cary’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Morrisville · 6 km
- Apex · 8 km
- Holly Springs · 14 km
- Raleigh · 17 km
- Fuquay-Varina · 20 km
- Garner · 21 km
- Durham · 23 km
- Chapel Hill · 26 km
Frost dates recorded at APEX, 4 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 Cary, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00310212. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/cary.