When is the last frost in Durham, NC?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Durham is around April 2, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Durham, NC station (4.7 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 Durham?

The average first fall frost in Durham, NC is around November 4, giving roughly a 217-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Durham, NC?

Durham 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 Durham?

In Durham, NC the warmest month is July (avg high 87°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 27.9°F). It averages about 48.6″ of precipitation a year.

Home › North Carolina › Durham

Durham, NC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 27701 · elevation 122′ · NOAA & USDA data

Durham is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 217 days between the average last spring frost (April 2) and first fall frost (November 4). The warmest month is July (avg high 87°F); the coldest is January (avg low 27.9°F). It averages 48.6″ of precipitation a year. 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

April 2

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 4

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

217 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 87°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Durham

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Durham, NC (4.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	48.9	27.9	38.4	4	–
February	52.5	30.3	41.4	2.9	–
March	60.7	37.2	49	4.5	–
April	70.3	46	58.1	3.7	–
May	76.6	55.4	66	3.8	–
June	83.3	64.2	73.8	5.2	–
July	87	68.8	77.9	4.2	–
August	84.6	67.2	75.9	5.2	–
September	79.3	60.9	70.1	4.7	–
October	69.5	48	58.8	3.4	–
November	60	37.1	48.6	3.7	–
December	52.1	32.2	42.2	3.3	–

What to plant when in Durham

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 19 · Transplant out: April 9
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 5 · Transplant out: April 16
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 9
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 9
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 9
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 9
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 9
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 26 · Sow (fall): September 9
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 19 · Sow (fall): September 9
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 5 · Sow (fall): September 9
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): August 26
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 19
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): August 26
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 5
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 19
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 5 · Sow (fall): September 23

Dates are computed from Durham'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

Chapel Hill, NC Cary, NC Apex, NC Raleigh, NC Burlington, NC Greensboro, NC Wilson, NC High Point, 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 — Durham, NC, 4.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Durham, NC, 4.7 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.