Raleigh 4 SW, NC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Raleigh 4 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 28
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 9
~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 28 Apr 12
First fall frost Nov 27 Nov 9 Oct 27
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 14 · first Nov 23

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the RALEIGH 4 SW 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 Raleigh 4 SW

Computed from Raleigh 4 SW'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 31 – Feb 14 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🫑 Peppers Jan 17 – Jan 31 Apr 11 – Apr 18
🥬 Lettuce Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14 Feb 28 – Mar 28
🫛 Peas Feb 14 – Feb 28
🥕 Carrots Mar 7 – Mar 28
🥦 Broccoli Feb 7 – Feb 21 Mar 7 – Mar 21
🥬 Kale Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14 Feb 28 – Mar 14
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 28 – Mar 7 Apr 4 – Apr 11 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🥒 Zucchini Feb 28 – Mar 7 Apr 4 – Apr 11 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 4 – Apr 11
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 4 – Apr 11
🌿 Basil Feb 14 – Feb 28 Apr 4 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 18
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 28 – Oct 26

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 Raleigh 4 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Raleigh 4 SW

With roughly 226 frost-free days, Raleigh 4 SW 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 9 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Raleigh 4 SW, NC?

The average last spring frost in Raleigh 4 SW is around Mar 28, 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 Raleigh 4 SW, NC?

The average first fall frost in Raleigh 4 SW arrives around Nov 9. 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 Raleigh 4 SW?

About 226 frost-free days on average, from Mar 28 to Nov 9. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Raleigh 4 SW 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.