Frost Dates for Burlington, NC

In Burlington, NC, the average last spring frost is around Mar 29 and the average first fall frost around Nov 9, for a growing season of about 226 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 15, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMar 2950% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 15only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostNov 950% chance of frost before this date
Growing season226 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Burlington Fire Stn #5, NC weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 660 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 15Oct 26
20%Apr 7Oct 31
30%Apr 4Nov 3
40%Apr 1Nov 6
50%Mar 29Nov 9
60%Mar 25Nov 11
70%Mar 20Nov 14
80%Mar 16Nov 19
90%Mar 8Nov 25

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 10Oct 30
Frost / freeze (32°F)Mar 29Nov 9
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 15Nov 23

Planting calendar for Burlington

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Peppers
Indoors Jan 18 – Feb 1
Transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 18 – Feb 1
Transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Basil
Indoors Feb 15 – Mar 1
Transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 1 – Mar 8
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 1 – Mar 8
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 5 – Apr 19
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 1 – Mar 8
Sow or transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Green beans
Sow Apr 5 – Apr 19
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 5 – Apr 19
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 15 – Mar 1
Sow or transplant Mar 1 – Mar 15
Fall sowing Sep 14 – Oct 12
Spinach
Sow Feb 15 – Mar 8
Fall sowing Sep 14 – Oct 5
Peas
Sow Feb 15 – Mar 1
Fall sowing Aug 31 – Sep 14
Kale
Indoors Feb 1 – Feb 15
Sow or transplant Mar 1 – Mar 15
Fall sowing Aug 31 – Sep 28
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Mar 15 – Mar 29
Fall sowing Aug 17 – Aug 31
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Mar 8 – Mar 22
Fall sowing Aug 17 – Aug 31
Carrots
Sow Mar 8 – Mar 29
Fall sowing Aug 17 – Aug 31
Radishes
Sow Feb 22 – Mar 15
Fall sowing Sep 28 – Oct 19
Beets
Sow Mar 8 – Mar 29
Fall sowing Aug 31 – Sep 14
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 4 – Jan 18
Plant Mar 1 – Mar 15
Potatoes
Plant Mar 8 – Mar 22
Garlic
Plant Nov 9 – Dec 7

Based on the average last frost (Mar 29) and first frost (Nov 9). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

GreensboroChapel HillHigh PointAsheboroDurhamKernersvilleThomasvilleMorrisvilleAll North Carolina towns