Planting dates for Charlotte
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Charlotte Douglas Ap 72314, the official station 10 km from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Charlotte (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | February 16 | April 6 |
| Pepper | February 2 | April 13 |
| Peas | – | February 23 |
| Lettuce | February 2 | March 2 |
| Carrot | – | March 9 |
| Bush beans | – | April 6 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | March 16 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Charlotte planting questions
When is the last frost in Charlotte?
Around March 30, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Charlotte Douglas Ap 72314, the official station 10 km from Charlotte. Half of years see frost after the mean, so tender crops usually wait a week or more past it.
When can I plant tomatoes in Charlotte?
Start seeds indoors around February 16 and transplant around April 6, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Charlotte.
How long is the growing season in Charlotte?
About 221 frost-free days on average, from roughly March 30 to November 3. Crops whose days-to-maturity exceed that window need transplants, short-season varieties, or season extension.
How this page was made
Every date above is computed from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals at Charlotte Douglas Ap 72314: the 30-year mean dates of last spring and first fall frost, with crop offsets from standard horticultural practice. Full method and crop sources: data and methodology. These are planning averages, not forecasts: half of years frost later than the mean, so harden off transplants and watch the local forecast at the shoulders of the season.
More for Charlotte: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.