Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Summerfield, NC

The average first fall frost in Summerfield, NC is November 5, and the average last spring frost is March 30, giving a growing season of about 220 days.

Plan your garden around Summerfield, NC's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.

Last Spring Frost

March 30

Safe Apr 14 Typical Mar 30 Risky Mar 12

First Fall Frost

November 5

Safe Oct 25 Typical Nov 5 Risky Nov 21

Growing Season

220 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a

Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.

Data: NOAA station PIEDMONT TRIAD INTL AP, NC US, 12.9 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Summerfield Compares

Summerfield's typical last spring frost (Mar 30) comes earlier than in 55% of the 95 North Carolina cities we track.
Its 220-day growing season is about the same as the North Carolina median of 220 days.
Summerfield shares its NOAA weather station with Kernersville (18 km away), so their typical frost dates are the same.
July is the warmest month (average high 89°F) and January the coldest (average low 30°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Feb 2 – Feb 16	—	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Jan 19 – Feb 2	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Jan 19 – Feb 2	—	Apr 13 – Apr 20	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Mar 2 – Mar 9	Apr 6 – Apr 13	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Mar 9 – Mar 16	Apr 6 – Apr 20	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Mar 2 – Mar 9	Apr 6 – Apr 20	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Mar 2 – Mar 9	—	Apr 13 – Apr 20	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Mar 2 – Mar 9	—	Apr 13 – Apr 20	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Mar 30 – Apr 13	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Mar 30 – Apr 13	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Feb 16 – Mar 2	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	Sep 10 – Sep 24	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Feb 16 – Mar 2	—	Sep 10 – Sep 24	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	Aug 27 – Sep 10	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	Sep 24 – Oct 1	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Mar 9 – Mar 23	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Feb 9 – Feb 23	—	Mar 9 – Mar 16	Sep 3 – Sep 10	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Feb 9 – Feb 23	—	Mar 16 – Mar 23	Aug 27 – Sep 3	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Feb 9 – Feb 23	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	Aug 27 – Sep 10	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Feb 9 – Feb 23	—	Mar 9 – Mar 23	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	Aug 13 – Aug 27	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	Aug 27 – Sep 10	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Feb 23 – Mar 9	—	Sep 24 – Oct 8	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	Aug 27 – Sep 10	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Jan 19 – Feb 2	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Oct 8 – Oct 22	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	Apr 13 – Apr 27	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Mar 2 – Mar 16	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Feb 16 – Feb 23	—	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Mar 9 – Mar 23	—	Sep 10 – Sep 24	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Feb 2 – Feb 16	—	Mar 16 – Mar 23	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Mar 9 – Mar 23	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Feb 2 – Feb 16	—	Mar 30 – Apr 6	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Feb 2 – Feb 16	—	Mar 30 – Apr 6	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Mar 2 – Mar 9	Apr 6 – Apr 20	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Feb 16 – Mar 2	—	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Mar 2 – Mar 9	Apr 6 – Apr 20	Apr 6 – Apr 13	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Apr 6 – Apr 20	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in Summerfield, NC?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the PIEDMONT TRIAD INTL AP, NC US station, the last spring frost in Summerfield typically falls around March 30. A cautious gardener might wait until April 14 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while March 12 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Summerfield, NC in fall?

The first fall frost in Summerfield typically arrives around November 5. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 25; in milder years it can hold off until November 21.

How long is the growing season in Summerfield, NC?

Summerfield's average frost-free growing season is about 220 days, running from the typical last spring frost (March 30) to the typical first fall frost (November 5).

What USDA hardiness zone is Summerfield, NC in?

Summerfield, NC is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.