When is the last frost in Hickory, NC?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Hickory is around March 31, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Hickory Faa Ap, NC station (3.7 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 Hickory?

The average first fall frost in Hickory, NC is around November 4, giving roughly a 219-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Hickory, NC?

Hickory 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 Hickory?

In Hickory, NC the warmest month is July (avg high 87.4°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 30.2°F). It averages about 47.2″ of precipitation a year.

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Hickory, NC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 28601 · elevation 348′ · NOAA & USDA data

Hickory is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 219 days between the average last spring frost (March 31) and first fall frost (November 4). The warmest month is July (avg high 87.4°F); the coldest is January (avg low 30.2°F). It averages 47.2″ 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

March 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 4

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

219 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 87.4°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Hickory

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Hickory Faa Ap, NC (3.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	49.1	30.2	39.7	3.8	–
February	53.2	32.8	43	3.2	–
March	60.7	39.5	50.1	4.1	–
April	70	47.7	58.8	4.1	–
May	77.4	56.2	66.8	3.9	–
June	84.3	64.4	74.3	4.4	–
July	87.4	68.1	77.7	4.3	–
August	85.7	67	76.4	4.6	–
September	79.8	60.9	70.4	3.9	–
October	70.2	48.9	59.6	3.5	–
November	59.9	38.7	49.3	3.6	–
December	51.5	32.8	42.2	3.9	–

What to plant when in Hickory

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 9
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 17 · Sow (fall): September 9
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 9
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): August 26
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): August 26
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 23

Dates are computed from Hickory'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

Huntersville, NC Gastonia, NC Kannapolis, NC Charlotte, NC Concord, NC Asheville, NC High Point, 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 — Hickory Faa Ap, NC, 3.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Hickory Faa Ap, NC, 3.7 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.