Frost Dates for Chapel Hill, NC
In Chapel Hill, NC, the average last spring frost is around Mar 29 and the average first fall frost around Nov 5, for a growing season of about 222 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 12, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Chapel Hill Williams Airport, NC weather station, 1 mile away, elevation 512 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.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Apr 12 | Oct 23 |
| 20% | Apr 7 | Oct 28 |
| 30% | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| 40% | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
| 50% | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| 60% | Mar 25 | Nov 8 |
| 70% | Mar 21 | Nov 10 |
| 80% | Mar 17 | Nov 14 |
| 90% | Mar 11 | Nov 21 |
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.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 11 | Oct 28 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 | Nov 17 |
Planting calendar for Chapel Hill
Transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Sow or transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Sow or transplant Mar 1 – Mar 15
Fall sowing Sep 10 – Oct 8
Fall sowing Sep 10 – Oct 1
Fall sowing Aug 27 – Sep 10
Sow or transplant Mar 1 – Mar 15
Fall sowing Aug 27 – Sep 24
Transplant Mar 15 – Mar 29
Fall sowing Aug 13 – Aug 27
Transplant Mar 8 – Mar 22
Fall sowing Aug 13 – Aug 27
Fall sowing Aug 13 – Aug 27
Fall sowing Sep 24 – Oct 15
Fall sowing Aug 27 – Sep 10
Plant Mar 1 – Mar 15
Based on the average last frost (Mar 29) and first frost (Nov 5). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.