When to Plant Sweet Corn in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the time to sow sweet corn outside runs from Mar 22 – Apr 5 in Goldsboro to Apr 23 – May 7 in Statesville. In Charlotte, it's Apr 6 – Apr 20. 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.
Sow corn in blocks rather than single rows so it pollinates well. Wait for soil around 60°F.
- Sow outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Sweet Corn planting dates in North Carolina by city
| City | Zone | Sow outside |
|---|---|---|
| Apex | 8a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Asheville | 7b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Burlington | 8a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Cary | 8a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Chapel Hill | 8a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Charlotte | 8a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Clayton | 8a | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Concord | 8a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Cornelius | 8a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Durham | 8a | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Fayetteville | 8a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 8a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Garner | 8a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Gastonia | 8a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Goldsboro | 8b | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Greensboro | 8a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Greenville | 8a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Hickory | 8a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| High Point | 8a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Holly Springs | 8a | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Huntersville | 8a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Indian Trail | 8a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Jacksonville | 8b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Kannapolis | 8a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Leland | 8b | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Matthews | 8a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Mint Hill | 8a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Monroe | 8a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Mooresville | 8a | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Morrisville | 8a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| New Bern | 8b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Raleigh | 8a | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Rocky Mount | 8a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Salisbury | 8a | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Sanford | 8a | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Statesville | 8a | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Wake Forest | 8a | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Wilmington | 8b | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Wilson | 8a | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Winston-Salem | 8a | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
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 sweet corn.
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