FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
CharlotteFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
RaleighJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreensboroFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
DurhamFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
Winston-SalemJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
FayettevilleFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
CaryJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 4 – Apr 11
WilmingtonJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 26 – Apr 2
High PointFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
AshevilleFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
GreenvilleJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 3 – Apr 10
ConcordFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
GastoniaJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 3 – Apr 10
JacksonvilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
Chapel HillFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
Rocky MountFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
HuntersvilleFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
BurlingtonFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
WilsonJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 29 – Apr 5
KannapolisFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
ApexJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 3 – Apr 10
HickoryFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
Wake ForestFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
Indian TrailFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14
MooresvilleFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
GoldsboroJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 4 – Apr 11
MonroeFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
SalisburyFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
Holly SpringsFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
MatthewsFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 7 – Apr 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in North Carolina

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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