Frost dates for 28262Charlotte, NC
The average last spring frost in Charlotte is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 215 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 215 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 149 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 30 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 15 | 215 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 5 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 237 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 | Mar 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28262 is matched to the NOAA station Concord, NC, 18.1 km away, at 700 ft elevation (87 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord, NC (used) | 700 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Charlotte Douglas Ap, NC | 728 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 3 |
| Monroe Ap, NC | 679 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| Gastonia, NC | 700 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Charlotte
- Charlotte, NC 28223 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Newell, NC 28126 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Harrisburg, NC 28075 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Matthews, NC 28106 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Paw Creek, NC 28130 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Huntersville, NC 28070 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Concord, NC 28027 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Kannapolis, NC 28082 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charlotte, NC?
- For ZIP code 28262, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Concord, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Charlotte, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28262?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 215 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.