Charlotte, NC Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Charlotte

No planting windows from our rules fall in October; see the month-by-month list below.

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Mar 30, 50% risk), balanced = Apr 5 (30%), safe = Apr 14 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

A soil thermometer helps here. CSU recommends checking soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before sowing. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so instead of a date, each crop shows CSU's minimum soil temperature.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Charlotte

What to plant in Charlotte in January

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 18 – Feb 1)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 18 – Feb 1)

What to plant in Charlotte in February

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Feb 1–15)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 15 – Mar 8)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 22 – Mar 8)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 18 – Feb 1)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 18 – Feb 1)

What to plant in Charlotte in March

• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2–31)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 8–22)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 14)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 14)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 14)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 14)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 15 – Mar 8)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 22 – Mar 8)

What to plant in Charlotte in April

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Apr 13–28)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Apr 13–28)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13–28)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13–28)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13–28)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Apr 26–28)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 14)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 14)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 14)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 14)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 14)

What to plant in Charlotte in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 8–22)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 28 – Jul 12)

What to plant in Charlotte in July

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Jul 27)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 28 – Jul 12)

What to plant in Charlotte in August

• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 7)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 11)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 12)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 16)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 16)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 17)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Aug 31)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Aug 31)

What to plant in Charlotte in September

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 10)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Sep 20)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Charlotte

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to transplant tomatoes at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, with nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would put Charlotte at about Apr 13, but the average nightly low at Charlotte Douglas Airport isn't above 52°F until Apr 26, so our dates start there: about Apr 26 (typical), Apr 26 (balanced) or Apr 28 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Mar 8–22, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Apr 26. CSU notes that nights under 55°F hurt fruit set. The normal low at Charlotte Douglas Airport climbs to 55°F on May 6. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for tomato plants is 65 days. Set out on Apr 26, they would start producing around Jun 30, 126 days before the typical first frost (Nov 3).

When to plant peppers in Charlotte

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts peppers outside around Apr 13 (typical date), Apr 19 (balanced) or Apr 28 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8, 6–8 weeks ahead of transplanting on Apr 19. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Charlotte Douglas Airport, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 6. Set out on Apr 19, pepper plants would start producing around Jun 28, based on CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 128 days before the typical first frost (Nov 3).

When to plant potatoes in Charlotte

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says potatoes can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 45°F. In Charlotte, that's roughly Mar 16–30 going by the typical date, or Mar 31 – Apr 14 going by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Charlotte

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 2–16 in Charlotte using the typical date, or Mar 17–31 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F.

When to plant peas in Charlotte

Hardy crop. Per CSU, peas can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Charlotte, that works out to roughly Mar 2–16 (typical date) or Mar 17–31 (safer date). For fall, count back 79 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 16, or by Aug 4 to be safe.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Charlotte

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Charlotte, that's roughly Mar 2–16 going by the typical date, or Mar 17–31 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 21 (Aug 9 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Charlotte

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 16–30 in Charlotte (typical date) or Mar 31 – Apr 14 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 11, or by Jul 30 to be safe. That's 84 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in Charlotte

Tender crop. CSU's timing for beans (snap) is around the average last frost, which is about Mar 30 in Charlotte. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Apr 14. Seeds want soil at 55°F or warmer. For fall, count back 88 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 7, or by Jul 26 to be safe.

When to plant summer squash in Charlotte

Tender crop. CSU says to sow summer squash around the average last frost, about Mar 30 in Charlotte. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 14. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, sow by Aug 17 (Aug 5 to be safe), which is 78 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Charlotte

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 2–16 in Charlotte using the typical date, or Mar 17–31 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, broccoli plants set out on Mar 8 would start producing around May 12. That's 175 days before the typical first frost (Nov 3). For a fall harvest of broccoli, get transplants in the ground by Aug 16 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Nov 3, with CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jun 28 – Jul 12, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cabbage in Charlotte

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 2–16 in Charlotte using the typical date, or Mar 17–31 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. Set out on Mar 8, cabbage plants would start producing around Jun 1, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 155 days before the typical first frost (Nov 3). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Jul 27. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Nov 3) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jun 8–22 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Charlotte

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting cauliflower as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Charlotte, that's roughly Mar 16–30 by the typical date or Mar 31 – Apr 14 by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Charlotte

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Charlotte, that's roughly Mar 2–16 going by the typical date, or Mar 17–31 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 31, or by Aug 19 to be safe.

When to plant green onions in Charlotte

Hardy crop. Per CSU, green onions can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Charlotte, that works out to roughly Mar 2–16 (typical date) or Mar 17–31 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Aug 21, or by Aug 9 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Charlotte

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 2–16 in Charlotte using the typical date, or Mar 17–31 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Sep 20 (Sep 8 to be safe), which is 44 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Charlotte

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 2–16 in Charlotte using the typical date, or Mar 17–31 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Sep 10 (Aug 29 to be safe), which is 54 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Charlotte

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 2–16 in Charlotte using the typical date, or Mar 17–31 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 31 (Aug 19 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Charlotte

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 16–30 in Charlotte (typical date) or Mar 31 – Apr 14 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 21, or by Aug 9 to be safe.

When to plant swiss chard in Charlotte

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, swiss chard can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 16–30 in Charlotte (typical date) or Mar 31 – Apr 14 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 21 (Aug 9 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Charlotte

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting parsnips as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 35°F or warmer. For Charlotte, that's roughly Mar 16–30 by the typical date or Mar 31 – Apr 14 by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Charlotte

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about Mar 30 in Charlotte. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 14. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Charlotte

Tender crop. Sow cucumbers around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 30 in Charlotte. Waiting until Apr 14 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 12, or by Jul 31 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Charlotte

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts eggplant outside around Apr 13 (typical date), Apr 19 (balanced) or Apr 28 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Feb 15 – Mar 8, 6–9 weeks ahead of transplanting on Apr 19. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for eggplant plants is 60 days. Set out on Apr 19, they would start producing around Jun 18, 138 days before the typical first frost (Nov 3).

When to plant cantaloupe in Charlotte

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant cantaloupe at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 13 using the typical date, Apr 19 as a balanced choice, or Apr 28 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Charlotte

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant watermelon 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Apr 13 (typical date), Apr 19 (balanced) or Apr 28 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Charlotte

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant winter squash 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Apr 13 (typical date), Apr 19 (balanced) or Apr 28 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Charlotte?

Tomatoes: Mar 8–22. Peppers: Feb 22 – Mar 8. Both windows count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Charlotte?

About Apr 26 at the earliest, Apr 26 as a balanced choice, or Apr 28 to be safe. CSU wants tomatoes out 2+ weeks after the average last frost (that rule alone gives about Apr 13 here) and nights above 52°F. At Charlotte Douglas Airport, the average nightly low first rises above 52°F on Apr 26, so the earliest date starts there.

What can I plant in Charlotte in the fall?

Counting back from the typical first frost (Nov 3) with UNL Extension's method: peas by Aug 16; lettuce (leaf) by Aug 21; carrots by Aug 11; beans (snap) by Aug 7; summer squash by Aug 17; broccoli by Aug 16 (transplants); cabbage by Jul 27 (transplants); kohlrabi by Aug 31; green onions by Aug 21; radishes by Sep 20; spinach by Sep 10; turnips by Aug 31; beets by Aug 21; swiss chard by Aug 21; cucumbers by Aug 12.

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