Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Winston-Salem, NC
Plan your garden around Winston-Salem, 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 26
Safe Apr 11
Typical Mar 26
Risky Mar 6
First Fall Frost
November 9
Safe Oct 28
Typical Nov 9
Risky Nov 26
Growing Season
228 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 WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, 4.2 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | 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 15 – Jan 29 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | 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 15 – Jan 29 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | 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 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | 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 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | 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 2 – Apr 16 | — | — | 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 | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — | 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 26 – Apr 9 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Sep 14 – Sep 28 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | Sep 14 – Sep 28 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 31 – Sep 14 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Sep 28 – Oct 5 | 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 5 – Mar 19 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Sep 7 – Sep 14 | 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 5 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Aug 31 – Sep 7 | 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 5 – Feb 19 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | 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 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 17 – Aug 31 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 31 – Sep 14 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Sep 28 – Oct 12 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 31 – Sep 14 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | 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 12 – Oct 26 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — | 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 9 – Apr 23 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | 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. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | 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 5 – Mar 19 | — | Sep 14 – Sep 28 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | 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 5 – Mar 19 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | 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 12 – Feb 26 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | 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 Winston-Salem, NC?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US station, the last spring frost in Winston-Salem typically falls around March 26. A cautious gardener might wait until April 11 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while March 6 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Winston-Salem, NC in fall?
The first fall frost in Winston-Salem typically arrives around November 9. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 28; in milder years it can hold off until November 26.
How long is the growing season in Winston-Salem, NC?
Winston-Salem's average frost-free growing season is about 228 days, running from the typical last spring frost (March 26) to the typical first fall frost (November 9).
What USDA hardiness zone is Winston-Salem, NC in?
Winston-Salem, 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.