When to Plant Potatoes in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Feb 22 – Mar 8 in Goldsboro to Mar 26 – Apr 9 in Statesville. In Charlotte, it's Mar 9 – Mar 23. The average last spring frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Mar 15 in Goldsboro, Apr 16 in Statesville), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in North Carolina by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Apex | 8a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Asheville | 7b | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Burlington | 8a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Cary | 8a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Chapel Hill | 8a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Charlotte | 8a | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Clayton | 8a | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Concord | 8a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Cornelius | 8a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Durham | 8a | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Fayetteville | 8a | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 8a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Garner | 8a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Gastonia | 8a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Goldsboro | 8b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Greensboro | 8a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Greenville | 8a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Hickory | 8a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| High Point | 8a | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Holly Springs | 8a | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Huntersville | 8a | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Indian Trail | 8a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Jacksonville | 8b | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Kannapolis | 8a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Leland | 8b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Matthews | 8a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Mint Hill | 8a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Monroe | 8a | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Mooresville | 8a | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Morrisville | 8a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| New Bern | 8b | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Raleigh | 8a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Rocky Mount | 8a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Salisbury | 8a | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Sanford | 8a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Statesville | 8a | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Wake Forest | 8a | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Wilmington | 8b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Wilson | 8a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Winston-Salem | 8a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in North Carolina, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
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