When to plant in Chapel Hill, NC
USDA Zone 8aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Chapel Hill, North Carolina — all computed from Chapel Hill's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 8a, Chapel Hill supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
CHAPEL HILL WILLIAMS AP · 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 Chapel Hill’s own odds, recorded at CHAPEL HILL WILLIAMS AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 29 | Apr 11 | Mar 27 | Oct 15 | Oct 28 | Nov 8 |
| 32°F | Apr 12 | Mar 29 | Mar 11 | Oct 23 | Nov 5 | Nov 21 |
| 28°F | Apr 2 | Mar 15 | Feb 24 | Nov 2 | Nov 17 | Dec 10 |
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 Chapel Hill, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 7 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.
Chapel Hill planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Chapel Hill, NC?
Chapel Hill'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 Chapel Hill, NC?
The first fall frost in Chapel Hill typically arrives around November 5 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Chapel Hill in?
Chapel Hill is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill has about 221 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 29) and first fall frost (November 5).
When should I plant tomatoes in Chapel Hill?
For Chapel Hill, sow tomatoes indoors about February 1–February 15 and move the seedlings out around April 5, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Chapel Hill
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Chapel Hill’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Carrboro · 4 km
- Durham · 14 km
- Morrisville · 21 km
- Cary · 26 km
- Apex · 27 km
- Mebane · 27 km
- Graham · 34 km
- Holly Springs · 36 km
Frost dates recorded at CHAPEL HILL WILLIAMS AP, 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 Chapel Hill, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093785. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/chapel-hill.