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North Carolina · Piedmont

Central North Carolina planting calendar

The middle of the state, roughly the Piedmont, with average last spring freezes around early April at the stations listed and three distinct growing seasons.

Last reviewed by GardenSproutly against the sources listed on this page.

About this calendar

This calendar follows NC State Extension's planting calendar for central North Carolina (AG-756-01), which broadly covers the Piedmont. According to the publication, almost any vegetable or fruit can be grown here if you choose suitable varieties and plant at the right time.[1]

Central North Carolina has three good growing seasons: spring, summer, and fall. Cool-season crops tolerate some frost and suit spring and fall. Warm-season crops do not tolerate frost and should go outside only in frost-free months.

Freeze dates nearby

Average dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze[2]. Use the station closest to your garden in elevation and location.

Average freeze dates for Central North Carolina weather stations
Station (county)ElevationAvg. last spring freezeAvg. first fall freeze
Charlotte Douglas Airport (Mecklenburg)Records 1939–2019728 ftApril 1November 5
Greensboro Airport (Guilford)Records 1948–2019926 ftApril 3October 31
Burlington Alamance Airport (Alamance)Records 1998–2019617 ftApril 4October 29
Raleigh Airport (Wake)Records 1944–2019435 ftApril 8October 30

Before you plant

  • Even warm-season plants have limits. They may temporarily stop producing during heat waves with temperatures in the mid-90s °F.[1]
  • Time plantings around known pest seasons. For example, delay fall planting until whitefly populations decline with cooler temperatures, and delay spring planting until soils warm to reduce fungal and bacterial disease problems.[1]
  • Plants set out in the middle of a recommended window usually do best. Success rates are lower at the earliest and latest dates, and you can extend the harvest by planting again every few weeks within the window.[1]
  • Cool-season crops tolerate some frost and suit spring and fall. Warm-season crops are generally planted after the last frost date.[3]

Planting chart

Each square is one date column in the NC State Extension chart: the 1st or the 15th of the month. Dates are for planting outdoors. For transplants, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the transplant date.[1]

On small screens, scroll the chart sideways. Every row also lists its planting dates in text.

  • SSow seeds outdoors
  • TSet out transplants
  • BPlant bulbs or cloves
  • CPlant crowns
  • TuPlant tubers

Cool-season vegetables

Cool-season vegetables: Central North Carolina planting chart
Crop and planting windowsDays to harvestSpacing (in.)
BeetsSeeds: Mar 1 – Apr 1; Jul 15 – Sep 155–602
BroccoliTransplants: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 1T = 70–8018
Brussels sproutsTransplants: Jul 1 – Aug 15. Start seeds indoorsT = 40–50; S = 90–10014–18
CabbageTransplants: Feb 1 – Apr 1; Jul 15 – Sep 1. Start seeds indoorsT = 63–75; S = 90–12012
CarrotsSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 15; Jun 15 – Sep 175–802
CauliflowerSeeds: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 15. Transplants: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 15T = 55–65; S = 85–9518
Collard greensSeeds: Jul 15 – Sep 1. Transplants: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Jul 15 – Sep 1T = 32–72; S = 60–10018
KaleSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15. Transplants: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15T = 14–22; S = 40–506
KohlrabiSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1. Transplants: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1T = 22–32; S = 50–604
Lettuce, headSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 1; Aug 15 – Sep 1. Transplants: Mar 15 – Apr 15; Sep 15 – Oct 1T = 45–60; S = 70–8510
Lettuce, leafSeeds: Feb 1 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15. Transplants: Feb 1 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 15T = 15–25; S = 40–506
Mustard greensSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1530–402
Onions, bulbSeeds: Aug 1 – Mar 15. Bulbs: Mar 1 – Mar 15B = 75–105; S = 90–1204
Onions, greenSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 15; around Sep 1. Transplants: Mar 1 – Mar 15; Aug 15 – Sep 1T = 42–56; S = 60–701–2
Peas, bush (English)Seeds: Jan 1 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 1554–604
Peas, vining (English)Seeds: Jan 1 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 1554–722–3
Potatoes, IrishTubers: Feb 15 – Mar 15Tu = 95–12010
RadishesSeeds: Feb 1 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 120–251
RutabagaSeeds: Feb 1 – Apr 1; Jul 1 – Sep 1570–804
SpinachSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Oct 150–606
Swiss chardSeeds: Mar 1 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1. Transplants: Mar 1 – Apr 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1T = 32–42; S = 60–706
TurnipsSeeds: Feb 1 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Sep 155–602

Warm-season vegetables and melons

Warm-season vegetables and melons: Central North Carolina planting chart
Crop and planting windowsDays to harvestSpacing (in.)
Beans, lima (bush)Seeds: Apr 15 – Jul 1565–806
Beans, lima (pole)Seeds: Apr 15 – Jun 1; around Jul 1575–956
Beans, snap (bush)Seeds: Mar 15 – Sep 1550–552
Beans, snap (pole)Seeds: Apr 1 – Sep 1565–706
Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Seeds: Apr 15 – Jul 1. Transplants: Apr 15 – Jul 1T = 57–62; S = 85–9024
CucumbersSeeds: Apr 15 – Aug 1. Transplants: Apr 15 – Aug 1T = 28–37; S = 56–6512
EggplantTransplants: Apr 15 – Jun 1; Aug 1 – Aug 15. Start seeds indoorsT = 90–95; S = 150–15524
PeppersTransplants: Apr 15 – Jun 1; around Aug 1. Start seeds indoorsT = 75–80; S = 145–15018
Squash, summerSeeds: Apr 1 – Aug 1. Transplants: Apr 1 – Aug 1T = 30–40; S = 50–6024
Squash, winterSeeds: Apr 15 – Aug 1. Transplants: Apr 15 – Aug 1T = 42–67; S = 70–9536
Sweet cornSeeds: Mar 15 – May 1585–9012
Sweet potatoesTransplants: May 1 – Jul 1T = 95–12510
TomatoesTransplants: Apr 15 – Jul 1; around Aug 1. Start seeds indoorsT = 75–85; S = 125–13518
WatermelonSeeds: Apr 15 – Jun 15. Transplants: Apr 15 – Jun 15T = 62–72; S = 90–10060

Other vegetables

Other vegetables: Central North Carolina planting chart
Crop and planting windowsDays to harvestSpacing (in.)
Artichokes, globeTransplants: Mar 15 – Apr 15T = 1 year30
Artichokes, JerusalemTubers: Mar 15 – Apr 15Tu = 6–8 months9–12
ArugulaSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 15; Aug 1 – Sep 1540–506–9
AsparagusCrowns: Feb 15 – Mar 15C = 2 years18
Cabbage, ChineseSeeds: around Mar 15; Aug 1 – Aug 15. Transplants: around Mar 15; Sep 15 – Oct 1T = 45–55; S = 75–8512
CeleryTransplants: Feb 15 – Mar 15; Jun 15 – Aug 1. Start seeds indoorsT = 40–70; S = 120–1506–8
Fennel, FlorenceSeeds: Mar 1 – Apr 15; Jul 1 – Aug 1560–906–12
GarlicBulbs: Sep 15 – Nov 15B = 180–2104–6
LeeksSeeds: Feb 15 – Jun 15. Transplants: Feb 15 – Jun 15T = 50–80; S = 120–1504
OkraSeeds: May 1 – May 15; Aug 1 – Aug 15. Transplants: May 1 – May 15T = 18–28; S = 60–7012
Pac choi (bok choy)Transplants: around Mar 15; Aug 15 – Sep 15. Start seeds indoorsT = 30–75; S = 45–907–12
ParsnipsSeeds: Feb 15 – May 1; Aug 1 – Sep 15100–1303–4
Peas, field/southernSeeds: Mar 15 – Jun 15; Aug 1 – Aug 1555–654
PumpkinSeeds: Apr 15 – Jul 1115–12048

Herbs and other crops

Herbs and other crops: Central North Carolina planting chart
Crop and planting windowsDays to harvestSpacing (in.)
BasilSeeds: May 1 – Jul 15. Transplants: May 1 – Jul 15T = 14–35; S = 50–752–8
CilantroSeeds: Feb 1 – Mar 15; around Sep 1550–552–4
DillSeeds: around Mar 15; Aug 1 – Sep 140–552–4
ParsleySeeds: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 15. Transplants: Feb 15 – Apr 1; Aug 1 – Sep 15T = 33; S = 759–12
PeanutsSeeds: May 1 – May 15145–1606–8
SunflowerSeeds: Mar 15 – May 155–1109–24

Cool- and warm-season groupings follow the Extension Gardener Handbook[3]. Crops it doesn't classify are listed separately.

What to plant each month in Central North Carolina

Crops with a recommended planting date on the 1st or 15th of each month.

January · 3 crops
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
February · 26 crops
  • Arugula (seeds)
  • Asparagus (crowns)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Cauliflower (seeds, transplants)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Cilantro (seeds)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (seeds)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Onions, green (seeds)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Potatoes, Irish (tubers)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Turnips (seeds)
March · 38 crops
  • Artichokes, globe (transplants)
  • Artichokes, Jerusalem (tubers)
  • Arugula (seeds)
  • Asparagus (crowns)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cabbage, Chinese (seeds, transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Cauliflower (seeds, transplants)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Cilantro (seeds)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Dill (seeds)
  • Fennel, Florence (seeds)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds, bulbs)
  • Onions, green (seeds, transplants)
  • Pac choi (bok choy) (transplants)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Potatoes, Irish (tubers)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Sunflower (seeds)
  • Sweet corn (seeds)
  • Swiss chard (seeds, transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
April · 39 crops
  • Artichokes, globe (transplants)
  • Artichokes, Jerusalem (tubers)
  • Beans, lima (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, lima (pole) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cantaloupe (muskmelon) (seeds, transplants)
  • Cauliflower (seeds, transplants)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Eggplant (transplants)
  • Fennel, Florence (seeds)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (transplants)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Peppers (transplants)
  • Pumpkin (seeds)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Sunflower (seeds)
  • Sweet corn (seeds)
  • Swiss chard (seeds, transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
  • Watermelon (seeds, transplants)
May · 29 crops
  • Basil (seeds, transplants)
  • Beans, lima (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, lima (pole) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Cantaloupe (muskmelon) (seeds, transplants)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Eggplant (transplants)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Okra (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peanuts (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peppers (transplants)
  • Pumpkin (seeds)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Sunflower (seeds)
  • Sweet corn (seeds)
  • Sweet potatoes (transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
  • Watermelon (seeds, transplants)
June · 26 crops
  • Basil (seeds, transplants)
  • Beans, lima (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, lima (pole) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Cantaloupe (muskmelon) (seeds, transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Collard greens (transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Eggplant (transplants)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Leeks (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peppers (transplants)
  • Pumpkin (seeds)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Sweet potatoes (transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
  • Watermelon (seeds, transplants)
July · 20 crops
  • Basil (seeds, transplants)
  • Beans, lima (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, lima (pole) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Brussels sprouts (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cantaloupe (muskmelon) (seeds, transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Collard greens (seeds, transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Fennel, Florence (seeds)
  • Pumpkin (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Sweet potatoes (transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
August · 39 crops
  • Arugula (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Brussels sprouts (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cabbage, Chinese (seeds)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Cauliflower (seeds, transplants)
  • Celery (transplants)
  • Collard greens (seeds, transplants)
  • Cucumbers (seeds, transplants)
  • Dill (seeds)
  • Eggplant (transplants)
  • Fennel, Florence (seeds)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (seeds)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Okra (seeds)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Onions, green (transplants)
  • Pac choi (bok choy) (transplants)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, field/southern (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Peppers (transplants)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Squash, summer (seeds, transplants)
  • Squash, winter (seeds, transplants)
  • Swiss chard (seeds, transplants)
  • Tomatoes (transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
September · 30 crops
  • Arugula (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (bush) (seeds)
  • Beans, snap (pole) (seeds)
  • Beets (seeds)
  • Broccoli (transplants)
  • Cabbage (transplants)
  • Cabbage, Chinese (transplants)
  • Carrots (seeds)
  • Cauliflower (seeds, transplants)
  • Cilantro (seeds)
  • Collard greens (seeds, transplants)
  • Dill (seeds)
  • Garlic (bulbs)
  • Kale (seeds, transplants)
  • Kohlrabi (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, head (seeds, transplants)
  • Lettuce, leaf (seeds, transplants)
  • Mustard greens (seeds)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Onions, green (seeds, transplants)
  • Pac choi (bok choy) (transplants)
  • Parsley (seeds, transplants)
  • Parsnips (seeds)
  • Peas, bush (English) (seeds)
  • Peas, vining (English) (seeds)
  • Radishes (seeds)
  • Rutabaga (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
  • Swiss chard (seeds, transplants)
  • Turnips (seeds)
October · 5 crops
  • Cabbage, Chinese (transplants)
  • Garlic (bulbs)
  • Lettuce, head (transplants)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
  • Spinach (seeds)
November · 2 crops
  • Garlic (bulbs)
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)
December · 1 crops
  • Onions, bulb (seeds)

Related guides

North Carolina Seed-Starting CalendarWhen to start vegetable seeds indoors in eastern, central, and western North Carolina, counted back from NC State Extension transplant dates.Fall Vegetable Planting in North CarolinaWhat to plant for a fall vegetable garden in eastern, central, and western North Carolina, with NC State Extension dates and late-summer sowing tips.What to Plant in North Carolina by SeasonSpring, summer, fall, and winter planting lists for eastern, central, and western North Carolina, drawn from NC State Extension planting calendars.

Other North Carolina calendars: Eastern North Carolina · Western North Carolina · Compare all regions

Sources

  1. [1]
    Central North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-01) — NC State Extension. Published July 8, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.

    Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, plant spacing, and the 6–8 week transplant-starting rule for central North Carolina. Scope: Central North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.

  2. [2]
    Average First and Last Freeze Dates — Table — NC State Extension Gardening and the State Climate Office of North Carolina. Updated October 9, 2026. Checked October 11, 2026.

    Supports: Average first fall and last spring freeze dates for North Carolina weather stations. Scope: Individual North Carolina weather stations; station records end in 2019.

  3. [3]
    Extension Gardener Handbook, Chapter 16: Vegetable Gardening — NC State Extension. Published February 1, 2022. Checked October 11, 2026.

    Supports: Cool- and warm-season crop groupings, seed-sowing depth, transplant growing times and temperatures (Table 16-3), soil preparation, succession planting, and harvest indicators. Scope: Written for North Carolina and the southeastern United States.