In Charlotte, the average last spring frost is Apr 1 and the average first fall frost is Nov 5, a growing season of about 218 days (zone 8a). Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 18 and move them outside from Apr 15. Plant garlic Nov 12 to Nov 19, one to two weeks after the first fall frost.
Charlotte at a glance
- Last spring frost
- Apr 1 (average)
- First fall frost
- Nov 5 (average)
- Frost-free season
- About 218 days
- Hardiness zone
- 8a (USDA)
- Weather stations
- Charlotte Douglas AP, NC; Gastonia, NC; and Concord, NC, 1991 to 2020 normals. GrowSmart's dates are the median of these stations, to within 3 days
An average frost date means frost is still possible after it in about half of years. GrowSmart times tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil after this date, not on it.
What to plant in Charlotte this month (January)
- Start onions indoors: Jan 21
What to plant in Charlotte this month (February)
- Start tomatoes indoors: Feb 18
- Start peppers indoors: Feb 18
- Start eggplant indoors: Feb 18
- Start lettuce indoors: Feb 18
- Start kale indoors: Feb 25
- Start broccoli indoors: Feb 25
- Start cabbage indoors: Feb 25
Coming up in early March: start basil indoors (Mar 4), direct sow spinach (Mar 11), direct sow peas (Mar 11) and direct sow radishes (Mar 11).
What to plant in Charlotte this month (March)
- Start basil indoors: Mar 4
- Direct sow spinach: Mar 11
- Direct sow peas: Mar 11
- Direct sow radishes: Mar 11
- Transplant lettuce: Mar 18
- Direct sow carrots: Mar 18
- Start cucumbers indoors: Mar 18
- Start zucchini indoors: Mar 18
- Start winter squash indoors: Mar 18
- Direct sow beets: Mar 25
- Transplant kale: Mar 25
- Transplant broccoli: Mar 25
- Transplant cabbage: Mar 25
- Direct sow potatoes: Mar 25
Coming up in early April: transplant onions (Apr 1), transplant cucumbers (Apr 8), transplant zucchini (Apr 8), transplant winter squash (Apr 8) and direct sow beans (Apr 8).
What to plant in Charlotte this month (April)
- Transplant onions: Apr 1
- Transplant cucumbers: Apr 8
- Transplant zucchini: Apr 8
- Transplant winter squash: Apr 8
- Direct sow beans: Apr 8
- Transplant tomatoes: Apr 15
- Transplant peppers: Apr 15
- Transplant eggplant: Apr 15
- Transplant basil: Apr 15
What to plant in Charlotte this month (May)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Charlotte in May. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 27.
What to plant in Charlotte this month (June)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Charlotte in June. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 27.
What to plant in Charlotte this month (July)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Charlotte in July. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 27.
What to plant in Charlotte this month (August)
- Sow peas for a fall harvest: Aug 27
- Sow kale for a fall harvest: Aug 27
Coming up in early September: sow lettuce for a fall harvest (Sep 10).
What to plant in Charlotte this month (September)
- Sow lettuce for a fall harvest: Sep 10
- Sow spinach for a fall harvest: Sep 17
Coming up in early October: sow radishes for a fall harvest (Oct 1).
What to plant in Charlotte this month (October)
- Sow radishes for a fall harvest: Oct 1
Coming up in early November: plant garlic (Nov 12).
What to plant in Charlotte this month (November)
- Plant garlic: Nov 12 to Nov 19
What to plant in Charlotte this month (December)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Charlotte in December. Next up: start onions indoors on Jan 21.
Charlotte planting calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 | Transplant Apr 15 | From Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Feb 18 | Transplant Apr 15 | From Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 | Transplant Apr 15 | From Jun 29 |
| Basil | Mar 4 | Transplant Apr 15 | From May 27 |
| Onions (from seed) | Jan 21 | Transplant Apr 1 | From Jul 10 |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 | Transplant Mar 18Fall: direct sow Sep 10 | From Apr 27Fall: from Oct 20 |
| Spinach | n/a | Direct sow Mar 11Fall: direct sow Sep 17 | From Apr 20Fall: from Oct 27 |
| Peas | n/a | Direct sow Mar 11Fall: direct sow Aug 27 | From May 10Fall: from Oct 26 |
| Radishes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 11Fall: direct sow Oct 1 | From Apr 5Fall: from Oct 26 |
| Carrots | n/a | Direct sow Mar 18 | From May 27 |
| Beets | n/a | Direct sow Mar 25 | From May 19 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Transplant Mar 25Fall: direct sow Aug 27 | From May 19Fall: from Oct 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 | Transplant Mar 25 | From May 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 | Transplant Mar 25 | From Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 | Transplant Apr 8 | From Jun 2 |
| Zucchini | Mar 18 | Transplant Apr 8 | From May 28 |
| Winter squash | Mar 18 | Transplant Apr 8 | From Jul 7 |
| Beans | n/a | Direct sow Apr 8 | From Jun 2 |
| Potatoes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 25 | From Jun 13 |
| Garlic | n/a | Plant cloves Nov 12 to Nov 19 | Around Jun 24 the next year |
Dates are for one planting of each crop, from Charlotte's average frost dates. Tomatoes are indeterminate, lettuce is looseleaf and beans are bush beans. Harvest dates are when the first picking is usually ready. Garlic follows University of Minnesota Extension (see below).
Fall planting in Charlotte
Plant garlic Nov 12 to Nov 19. That is one to two weeks after Charlotte's average first fall frost of Nov 5, the timing University of Minnesota Extension recommends, so the cloves root before winter without sending shoots up. Harvest comes around Jun 24 the following summer.
Shallots: GrowSmart's plan has you plant shallot sets in fall in zone 5 and warmer, and in spring in colder zones.
Cool-season crops GrowSmart schedules for a fall harvest in Charlotte:
- Peas: sow Aug 27, ready from about Oct 26
- Kale: sow Aug 27, ready from about Oct 21
- Lettuce: sow Sep 10, ready from about Oct 20
- Spinach: sow Sep 17, ready from about Oct 27
- Radishes: sow Oct 1, ready from about Oct 26
Nearby planting calendars
Charlotte planting questions
When is the last frost in Charlotte?
The average last spring frost in Charlotte is Apr 1, and the average first fall frost is Nov 5, from 1991 to 2020 climate normals at 3 nearby weather stations. Frost is still possible after the spring date in about half of years.
When should I start tomato seeds in Charlotte?
Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 18, 8 weeks before moving them outside around Apr 15, which is two weeks after the average last frost.
What can I plant in Charlotte in fall?
Garlic goes in Nov 12 to Nov 19. For fall harvests, sow peas and kale around Aug 27, lettuce around Sep 10, spinach around Sep 17 and radishes around Oct 1.