Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Raleigh, NC

Raleigh, NC is in USDA zone 8a across its 43 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 8.

Raleigh on the zone map

Outlined: its 17 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

ZIP codes43

Last frostMar 28

First frostNov 8

Growing season229 days

8a 43 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Raleigh, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season229 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Raleigh State Univ, NC, elevation 400 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Raleigh

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 8) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 27608 came on Feb 22 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
Feb 22

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8a in North Carolina

619 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Raleigh, NC.

Soil in Raleigh, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27608 is Chavis — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chavis-Urban land-Pacolet complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 27608; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Raleigh, NC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights57nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,990base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation49.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Raleigh State Univ, NC (3 mi away); precipitation: Raleigh 1.5 Sw, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Raleigh

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about Raleigh

What planting zone is Raleigh, NC?

Raleigh, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map (8a: 10 to 15 °F).

When is the last frost in Raleigh, NC?

The median last spring frost is March 28 and the median first fall frost is November 8 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raleigh State Univ station).

When can I plant a garden in Raleigh, NC?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 14 – Mar 7; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 4, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Raleigh, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Raleigh, NC get?

About 49.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).