When to Plant Tomatoes in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the time to transplant tomatoes 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in North Carolina by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Asheville | 7b | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Burlington | 8a | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Cary | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Chapel Hill | 8a | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Charlotte | 8a | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Clayton | 8a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Concord | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Cornelius | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Durham | 8a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Fayetteville | 8a | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Garner | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Gastonia | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Goldsboro | 8b | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Greensboro | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Greenville | 8a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Hickory | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| High Point | 8a | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Holly Springs | 8a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Huntersville | 8a | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Indian Trail | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Jacksonville | 8b | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Kannapolis | 8a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Leland | 8b | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Matthews | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Mint Hill | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Monroe | 8a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Mooresville | 8a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Morrisville | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| New Bern | 8b | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Raleigh | 8a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Rocky Mount | 8a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Salisbury | 8a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Sanford | 8a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Statesville | 8a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Wake Forest | 8a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Wilmington | 8b | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Wilson | 8a | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Winston-Salem | 8a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | 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 tomatoes.
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