Frost dates for 28270Charlotte, NC
The average last spring frost in Charlotte is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 12 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 16 · Apr 5 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 246 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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28270 is matched to the NOAA station Monroe Ap, NC, 18.7 km away, at 679 ft elevation (75 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Ap, NC (used) | 679 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 5 |
| Charlotte Douglas Ap, NC | 728 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 3 |
| Monroe 2 Se, NC | 550 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Rock Hill York Co Ap, SC | 669 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Charlotte
- Charlotte, NC 28211 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Matthews, NC 28105 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Indian Trail, NC 28079 · last Mar 31, first Nov 5
- Pineville, NC 28134 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Paw Creek, NC 28130 · last Mar 30, first Nov 3
- Newell, NC 28126 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Fort Mill, SC 29707 · last Mar 27, first Nov 5
- Harrisburg, NC 28075 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charlotte, NC?
- For ZIP code 28270, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monroe Ap, 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 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28270?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.