When is the last frost in Cary, NC?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Cary is around March 31, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Cary, NC station (3 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Cary?

The average first fall frost in Cary, NC is around November 10, giving roughly a 226-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Cary, NC?

Cary is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 10 to 15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Cary?

In Cary, NC the warmest month is July (avg high 89°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 30.9°F). It averages about 48.3″ of precipitation a year and 4.8″ of snow.

Home › North Carolina › Cary

Cary, NC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 27511 · elevation 137′ · NOAA & USDA data

Cary is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 226 days between the average last spring frost (March 31) and first fall frost (November 10). The warmest month is July (avg high 89°F); the coldest is January (avg low 30.9°F). It averages 48.3″ of precipitation a year and 4.8″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 10 to 15°F

Last spring frost

March 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 10

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

226 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 89°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Cary

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Apex, NC (3.2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	50.9	30.9	40.9	3.7	2.9
February	54.4	32.6	43.5	3	1
March	61.9	39.1	50.5	4.1	0.4
April	71.6	47.6	59.6	3.6	0
May	78.7	56.7	67.7	3.8	0
June	85.7	65.2	75.4	4.3	0
July	89	69.4	79.2	5.1	0
August	87.4	67.7	77.5	4.6	0
September	81.5	61.7	71.6	5.3	0
October	71.8	49.5	60.7	3.7	0
November	62.2	39.5	50.9	3.5	0.3
December	53.9	34.1	44	3.7	0.2

What to plant when in Cary

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 17 · Transplant out: April 7
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 3 · Transplant out: April 14
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 7
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 24 · Sow (fall): September 15
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 17 · Sow (fall): September 15
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 15
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): September 1
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): September 1
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 29

Dates are computed from Cary's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in North Carolina

Apex, NC Raleigh, NC Durham, NC Chapel Hill, NC Burlington, NC Fayetteville, NC Wilson, NC Greensboro, NC

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Cary, NC, 3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Apex, NC, 3.2 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.