Charlotte, TN Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 11
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 26
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
198 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 25 Apr 11 Apr 30
First fall frost Nov 7 Oct 26 Oct 15
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 29 · first Nov 5

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CHARLOTTE 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 Charlotte

Computed from Charlotte's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 14 – Feb 28 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🫑 Peppers Jan 31 – Feb 14 Apr 25 – May 2
🥬 Lettuce Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 14 – Apr 11
🫛 Peas Feb 28 – Mar 14
🥕 Carrots Mar 21 – Apr 11
🥦 Broccoli Feb 21 – Mar 7 Mar 21 – Apr 4
🥬 Kale Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 14 – Mar 28
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 14 – Mar 21 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🥒 Zucchini Mar 14 – Mar 21 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 18 – Apr 25
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 18 – Apr 25
🌿 Basil Feb 28 – Mar 14 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 2
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 14 – Oct 12

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 Charlotte's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Charlotte

Roughly 198 frost-free days gives Charlotte gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 11; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 26 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Charlotte, TN?

The average last spring frost in Charlotte is around Apr 11, 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 Charlotte, TN?

The average first fall frost in Charlotte arrives around Oct 26. 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 Charlotte?

About 198 frost-free days on average, from Apr 11 to Oct 26. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Charlotte in?

USDA zone 7b 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.