Frost dates for 28246Charlotte, 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 28246 is matched to the NOAA station Charlotte Douglas Ap, NC, 10.3 km away, at 728 ft elevation (33 ft lower 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 28233 · 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
- Huntersville, NC 28078 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Mount Holly, NC 28120 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charlotte, NC?
- For ZIP code 28246, 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 28246?
- 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.