In Raleigh, the average last spring frost is Mar 28 and the average first fall frost is Nov 8, a growing season of about 225 days (zone 8a). Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 14 and move them outside from Apr 11. Plant garlic Nov 15 to Nov 22, one to two weeks after the first fall frost.
Raleigh at a glance
- Last spring frost
- Mar 28 (average)
- First fall frost
- Nov 8 (average)
- Frost-free season
- About 225 days
- Hardiness zone
- 8a (USDA)
- Weather stations
- Raleigh State Univ, NC; Raleigh 4 SW, NC; and Garner, 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 Raleigh this month (January)
- Start onions indoors: Jan 17
Coming up in early February: start tomatoes indoors (Feb 14), start peppers indoors (Feb 14), start eggplant indoors (Feb 14) and start lettuce indoors (Feb 14).
What to plant in Raleigh this month (February)
- Start tomatoes indoors: Feb 14
- Start peppers indoors: Feb 14
- Start eggplant indoors: Feb 14
- Start lettuce indoors: Feb 14
- Start kale indoors: Feb 21
- Start broccoli indoors: Feb 21
- Start cabbage indoors: Feb 21
- Start basil indoors: Feb 28
Coming up in early March: direct sow spinach (Mar 7), direct sow peas (Mar 7), direct sow radishes (Mar 7), transplant lettuce (Mar 14), direct sow carrots (Mar 14), start cucumbers indoors (Mar 14), start zucchini indoors (Mar 14) and start winter squash indoors (Mar 14).
What to plant in Raleigh this month (March)
- Direct sow spinach: Mar 7
- Direct sow peas: Mar 7
- Direct sow radishes: Mar 7
- Transplant lettuce: Mar 14
- Direct sow carrots: Mar 14
- Start cucumbers indoors: Mar 14
- Start zucchini indoors: Mar 14
- Start winter squash indoors: Mar 14
- Direct sow beets: Mar 21
- Transplant kale: Mar 21
- Transplant broccoli: Mar 21
- Transplant cabbage: Mar 21
- Direct sow potatoes: Mar 21
- Transplant onions: Mar 28
Coming up in early April: transplant cucumbers (Apr 4), transplant zucchini (Apr 4), transplant winter squash (Apr 4), direct sow beans (Apr 4), transplant tomatoes (Apr 11), transplant peppers (Apr 11), transplant eggplant (Apr 11) and transplant basil (Apr 11).
What to plant in Raleigh this month (April)
- Transplant cucumbers: Apr 4
- Transplant zucchini: Apr 4
- Transplant winter squash: Apr 4
- Direct sow beans: Apr 4
- Transplant tomatoes: Apr 11
- Transplant peppers: Apr 11
- Transplant eggplant: Apr 11
- Transplant basil: Apr 11
What to plant in Raleigh this month (May)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Raleigh in May. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Raleigh this month (June)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Raleigh in June. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Raleigh this month (July)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Raleigh in July. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Raleigh this month (August)
- Sow peas for a fall harvest: Aug 30
- Sow kale for a fall harvest: Aug 30
Coming up in early September: sow lettuce for a fall harvest (Sep 13).
What to plant in Raleigh this month (September)
- Sow lettuce for a fall harvest: Sep 13
- Sow spinach for a fall harvest: Sep 20
Coming up in early October: sow radishes for a fall harvest (Oct 4).
What to plant in Raleigh this month (October)
- Sow radishes for a fall harvest: Oct 4
What to plant in Raleigh this month (November)
- Plant garlic: Nov 15 to Nov 22
What to plant in Raleigh this month (December)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Raleigh in December. Next up: start onions indoors on Jan 17.
Raleigh planting calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 | Transplant Apr 11 | From Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Feb 14 | Transplant Apr 11 | From Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 | Transplant Apr 11 | From Jun 25 |
| Basil | Feb 28 | Transplant Apr 11 | From May 23 |
| Onions (from seed) | Jan 17 | Transplant Mar 28 | From Jul 6 |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 | Transplant Mar 14Fall: direct sow Sep 13 | From Apr 23Fall: from Oct 23 |
| Spinach | n/a | Direct sow Mar 7Fall: direct sow Sep 20 | From Apr 16Fall: from Oct 30 |
| Peas | n/a | Direct sow Mar 7Fall: direct sow Aug 30 | From May 6Fall: from Oct 29 |
| Radishes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 7Fall: direct sow Oct 4 | From Apr 1Fall: from Oct 29 |
| Carrots | n/a | Direct sow Mar 14 | From May 23 |
| Beets | n/a | Direct sow Mar 21 | From May 15 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Transplant Mar 21Fall: direct sow Aug 30 | From May 15Fall: from Oct 24 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Transplant Mar 21 | From May 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Transplant Mar 21 | From May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 | Transplant Apr 4 | From May 29 |
| Zucchini | Mar 14 | Transplant Apr 4 | From May 24 |
| Winter squash | Mar 14 | Transplant Apr 4 | From Jul 3 |
| Beans | n/a | Direct sow Apr 4 | From May 29 |
| Potatoes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 21 | From Jun 9 |
| Garlic | n/a | Plant cloves Nov 15 to Nov 22 | Around Jun 20 the next year |
Dates are for one planting of each crop, from Raleigh'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 Raleigh
Plant garlic Nov 15 to Nov 22. That is one to two weeks after Raleigh's average first fall frost of Nov 8, the timing University of Minnesota Extension recommends, so the cloves root before winter without sending shoots up. Harvest comes around Jun 20 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 Raleigh:
- Peas: sow Aug 30, ready from about Oct 29
- Kale: sow Aug 30, ready from about Oct 24
- Lettuce: sow Sep 13, ready from about Oct 23
- Spinach: sow Sep 20, ready from about Oct 30
- Radishes: sow Oct 4, ready from about Oct 29
Nearby planting calendars
Raleigh planting questions
When is the last frost in Raleigh?
The average last spring frost in Raleigh is Mar 28, and the average first fall frost is Nov 8, 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 Raleigh?
Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 14, 8 weeks before moving them outside around Apr 11, which is two weeks after the average last frost.
What can I plant in Raleigh in fall?
Garlic goes in Nov 15 to Nov 22. For fall harvests, sow peas and kale around Aug 30, lettuce around Sep 13, spinach around Sep 20 and radishes around Oct 4.