Apex, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Apex garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 27
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
226 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 8 Mar 27 Apr 10
First fall frost Nov 24 Nov 8 Oct 26
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 15 · first Nov 21

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the APEX station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Apex

Computed from Apex's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 30 – Feb 13 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🫑 Peppers Jan 16 – Jan 30 Apr 10 – Apr 17
🥬 Lettuce Feb 13 – Feb 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13 Feb 27 – Mar 27
🫛 Peas Feb 13 – Feb 27
🥕 Carrots Mar 6 – Mar 27
🥦 Broccoli Feb 6 – Feb 20 Mar 6 – Mar 20
🥬 Kale Feb 13 – Feb 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13 Feb 27 – Mar 13
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 27 – Mar 6 Apr 3 – Apr 10 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🥒 Zucchini Feb 27 – Mar 6 Apr 3 – Apr 10 Apr 3 – Apr 10
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 3 – Apr 10
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 3 – Apr 10
🌿 Basil Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 3 – Apr 10 Apr 10 – Apr 17
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 27 – Oct 25

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Apex's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Apex

With roughly 226 frost-free days, Apex gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 8 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Apex, NC?

The average last spring frost in Apex is around Mar 27, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Apex, NC?

The average first fall frost in Apex arrives around Nov 8. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Apex?

About 226 frost-free days on average, from Mar 27 to Nov 8. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Apex in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.