When to plant in Raleigh, NC
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Raleigh, North Carolina — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 8a, Raleigh supports a wide range of perennials year-round; the frost dates above are what set your annual vegetable timing.
Frost probability
RALEIGH STATE UNIV · 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 Raleigh’s own odds, recorded at RALEIGH STATE UNIV.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 21 | Apr 7 | Mar 25 | Oct 18 | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
| 32°F | Apr 12 | Mar 28 | Mar 8 | Oct 28 | Nov 8 | Nov 27 |
| 28°F | Mar 31 | Mar 14 | Feb 22 | Nov 6 | Nov 23 | Dec 15 |
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 Raleigh, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 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.
Raleigh planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Raleigh, NC?
Plan for the last spring frost in Raleigh around March 28 (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 Raleigh, NC?
Expect Raleigh's first fall frost near November 8 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Raleigh in?
Raleigh is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Raleigh?
Raleigh has about 225 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (March 28) and first fall frost (November 8).
When should I plant tomatoes in Raleigh?
For Raleigh, sow tomatoes indoors about January 31–February 14 and move the seedlings out around April 4, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Raleigh
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Raleigh’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Knightdale · 14 km
- Garner · 16 km
- Cary · 17 km
- Morrisville · 18 km
- Rolesville · 19 km
- Wake Forest · 19 km
- Apex · 25 km
- Clayton · 26 km
Frost dates recorded at RALEIGH STATE UNIV, 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 Raleigh, NC — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00317079. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/north-carolina/raleigh.