When to plant in Elon, NC
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Elon, 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 Elon, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
BURLINGTON ALAMANCE 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 Elon’s own odds, recorded at BURLINGTON ALAMANCE AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 3 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | Oct 13 | Oct 25 | Nov 5 |
| 32°F | Apr 17 | Apr 1 | Mar 13 | Oct 21 | Nov 2 | Nov 16 |
| 28°F | Apr 3 | Mar 18 | Mar 1 | Nov 1 | Nov 13 | Nov 30 |
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 Elon, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 13 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.
Elon planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Elon, NC?
Plan for the last spring frost in Elon around April 1 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Elon, NC?
The first fall frost in Elon typically arrives around November 2 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Elon in?
Elon is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Elon?
There are roughly 215 frost-free days in Elon (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around April 1 to the first fall frost near November 2.
When should I plant tomatoes in Elon?
In Elon, start tomato seeds indoors around February 4–February 18, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 8 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Elon
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Elon’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Burlington · 5 km
- Graham · 12 km
- Mebane · 21 km
- Greensboro · 28 km
- Reidsville · 30 km
- Summerfield · 36 km
- Carrboro · 43 km
- High Point · 45 km
Frost dates recorded at BURLINGTON ALAMANCE AP, 7 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 Elon, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00093783. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/elon.