When to plant in Durham, NC
USDA Zone 8aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Durham, North Carolina — all computed from Durham's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 8a, Durham supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
DURHAM · 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 Durham’s own odds, recorded at DURHAM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 1 | Apr 14 | Mar 30 | Oct 13 | Oct 27 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F | Apr 18 | Apr 2 | Mar 15 | Oct 24 | Nov 4 | Nov 19 |
| 28°F | Apr 6 | Mar 19 | Feb 28 | Nov 2 | Nov 16 | Dec 7 |
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 Durham, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 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.
Durham planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Durham, NC?
On average, the last spring frost in Durham is around April 2 (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 Durham, NC?
Expect Durham's first fall frost near November 4 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Durham in?
Durham is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Durham?
Durham has about 216 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 2) and first fall frost (November 4).
When should I plant tomatoes in Durham?
For Durham, sow tomatoes indoors about February 5–February 19 and move the seedlings out around April 9, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Durham
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Durham’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Chapel Hill · 14 km
- Morrisville · 17 km
- Carrboro · 18 km
- Cary · 23 km
- Apex · 28 km
- Raleigh · 28 km
- Wake Forest · 35 km
- Mebane · 36 km
Frost dates recorded at DURHAM, 9 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 Durham, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00312515. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/durham.