When is the last frost in Charlotte, NC?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Charlotte is March 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until April 14.

When is the first frost in Charlotte?

The average first fall frost in Charlotte is November 3, with a growing season of about 221 days.

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Charlotte, North Carolina frost dates

Average last spring frost: March 30. Average first fall frost: November 3. That gives a growing season of about 221 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is April 14, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Mar 30

1-in-10 risk after Apr 14

First frost (50%)

Nov 3

1-in-10 risk before Oct 22

Growing season

221 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Mar 17

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	March 12	November 17
70%	March 23	November 8
50%	March 30	November 3
30%	April 5	October 30
10%	April 14	October 22

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after April 14. These are NOAA probabilities for the Charlotte Douglas Airport weather station (USW00013881, elevation 222 m), 1991–2020.

Charlotte vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (March 30). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Apr 14) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 9	Apr 6 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Jan 19	Mar 2
Brussels sprouts	Jan 19	Mar 2
Cabbage	Jan 12	Feb 23
Cauliflower	Feb 2	Mar 16
Sweet corn	Mar 2	Mar 30 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 16	Apr 6
Kale	Jan 12	Feb 23
Leeks	Dec 15	Feb 23
Lettuce	Feb 9	Mar 16
Melons	Mar 23	Apr 13
Onions	Dec 8	Feb 16 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 2	Mar 2 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Feb 16	Apr 13
Squash	Mar 23	Apr 13
Tomatoes	Feb 2	Mar 30

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around November 3. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 22. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 14.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Greensboro, NC	Mar 30	Nov 5	~133 km
Columbia, SC	Mar 25	Nov 7	~142 km
Asheville, NC	Apr 9	Oct 28	~145 km
Raleigh, NC	Mar 31	Nov 4	~211 km
Roanoke, VA	Apr 3	Nov 1	~249 km
Charleston, SC	Mar 7	Nov 27	~271 km

More: all North Carolina frost dates