FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Mar 10 – Mar 17, then sow outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 21, 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 Direct sow
Days to maturity 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.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
CharlotteMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
RaleighMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreensboroMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
DurhamMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
Winston-SalemMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
FayettevilleMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
CaryMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
WilmingtonFeb 26 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
High PointMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
AshevilleMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
GreenvilleMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
ConcordMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
GastoniaMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
JacksonvilleMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
Chapel HillMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
Rocky MountMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
HuntersvilleMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 20Apr 6 – Apr 13
BurlingtonMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
WilsonMar 1 – Mar 8Mar 29 – Apr 12Mar 29 – Apr 5
KannapolisMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
ApexMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
HickoryMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
Wake ForestMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
Indian TrailMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 7 – Apr 14
MooresvilleMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
GoldsboroMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
MonroeMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
SalisburyMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
Holly SpringsMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
MatthewsMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 21Apr 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 zucchini in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Mar 10 – Mar 17, then sow outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 21, 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in North Carolina

When to plant zucchini in other states

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