Frost dates for 28203Charlotte, NC
The average last spring frost in Charlotte is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 11 · Apr 28 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 200 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 30 · Apr 14 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 17 · Apr 3 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 2 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Charlotte
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28203 is matched to the NOAA station Charlotte Douglas Ap, NC, 9 km away, at 728 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Douglas Ap, NC (used) | 728 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 3 |
| Gastonia, NC | 700 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 9 |
| Gastonia Muni Ap, NC | 797 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
| Monroe Ap, NC | 679 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Charlotte
- Charlotte, NC 28282 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Matthews, NC 28106 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Paw Creek, NC 28130 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Newell, NC 28126 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Pineville, NC 28134 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Belmont, NC 28012 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Mount Holly, NC 28120 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Cramerton, NC 28032 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charlotte, NC?
- For ZIP code 28203, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Charlotte Douglas Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Charlotte, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28203?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.