Raleigh, NC Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Raleigh

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 28, 50% risk), balanced = Apr 3 (30%), safe = Apr 12 (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 Raleigh

What to plant in Raleigh in January

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 16–30)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 16–30)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 30 – Feb 13)

What to plant in Raleigh in February

• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 13 – Mar 6)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 6)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 30 – Feb 13)

What to plant in Raleigh in March

• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 9–23)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 28 – Apr 12)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 28 – Apr 12)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 28 – Apr 12)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 28 – Apr 12)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 13 – Mar 6)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 6)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 28 – Mar 29)

What to plant in Raleigh in April

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Apr 11–26)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Apr 11–26)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Apr 11–26)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Apr 11–26)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 11–26)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Apr 27)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 14 – Apr 12)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 28 – Apr 12)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 28 – Apr 12)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 28 – Apr 12)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 28 – Apr 12)

What to plant in Raleigh in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 13–27)

What to plant in Raleigh in July

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 3–17)

What to plant in Raleigh in August

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 1)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 12)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 16)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 17)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 21)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 22)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Aug 26)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Aug 26)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Aug 26)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Aug 26)

What to plant in Raleigh in September

• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Sep 5)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Sep 5)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 15)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Sep 25)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Raleigh

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 Raleigh at about Apr 11, but the average nightly low at Raleigh State University isn't above 52°F until Apr 27, so the transplant date is about Apr 27 for the typical, balanced and safer choices alike. Start seeds indoors Mar 9–23, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Apr 27. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Raleigh State University reaches 55°F on May 6. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, tomato plants set out on Apr 27 would start producing around Jul 1. That's 130 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8).

When to plant peppers in Raleigh

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set peppers out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 11 using the typical date, Apr 17 as a balanced choice, or Apr 26 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on Apr 17. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Raleigh State University reaches 55°F on May 6. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on Apr 17 would start producing around Jun 26. That's 135 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8).

When to plant potatoes in Raleigh

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting potatoes as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 45°F or warmer. For Raleigh, that's roughly Mar 14–28 by the typical date or Mar 29 – Apr 12 by the safer date.

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

Hardy crop. Per CSU, onions (dry, from sets) 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 Raleigh, that works out to roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 (typical date) or Mar 15–29 (safer date).

When to plant peas in Raleigh

Hardy crop. CSU says peas 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 Raleigh, that's roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 going by the typical date, or Mar 15–29 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 21, or by Aug 10 to be safe. That's 79 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Raleigh

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 Raleigh, that's roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 going by the typical date, or Mar 15–29 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 26, or by Aug 15 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Raleigh

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 14–28 in Raleigh (typical date) or Mar 29 – Apr 12 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 16 (Aug 5 to be safe), which is 84 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in Raleigh

Tender crop. CSU's timing for beans (snap) is around the average last frost, which is about Mar 28 in Raleigh. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Apr 12. Seeds want soil at 55°F or warmer. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 12, or by Aug 1 to be safe. That's 88 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Raleigh

Tender crop. Sow summer squash around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 28 in Raleigh. Waiting until Apr 12 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 78 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 22, or by Aug 11 to be safe.

When to plant broccoli in Raleigh

Hardy crop. Per CSU, broccoli 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 Raleigh, that works out to roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 (typical date) or Mar 15–29 (safer date). CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for broccoli plants is 65 days. Set out on Mar 6, they would start producing around May 10, 182 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8). For a fall crop, set broccoli transplants out by Aug 21. That's UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Nov 8), using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. If you grow your own transplants, start seeds Jul 3–17 (CSU: 5–7 weeks to transplant size).

When to plant cabbage in Raleigh

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage 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 Raleigh, that's roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 going by the typical date, or Mar 15–29 going by the safer date. Set out on Mar 6, cabbage plants would start producing around May 30, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 162 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Aug 1. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Nov 8) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jun 13–27 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Raleigh

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, cauliflower can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 14–28 in Raleigh (typical date) or Mar 29 – Apr 12 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F.

When to plant kohlrabi in Raleigh

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 Raleigh, that's roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 going by the typical date, or Mar 15–29 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 5, or by Aug 25 to be safe.

When to plant green onions in Raleigh

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 in Raleigh using the typical date, or Mar 15–29 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 26, or by Aug 15 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Raleigh

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 in Raleigh using the typical date, or Mar 15–29 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 25, or by Sep 14 to be safe. That's 44 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Raleigh

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach 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 Raleigh, that's roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 going by the typical date, or Mar 15–29 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 54 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 15, or by Sep 4 to be safe.

When to plant turnips in Raleigh

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 28 – Mar 14 in Raleigh using the typical date, or Mar 15–29 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 5, or by Aug 25 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Raleigh

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 14–28 in Raleigh (typical date) or Mar 29 – Apr 12 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 26 (Aug 15 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Raleigh

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting swiss chard as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Raleigh, that's roughly Mar 14–28 by the typical date or Mar 29 – Apr 12 by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 26 (Aug 15 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Raleigh

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, parsnips can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 14–28 in Raleigh (typical date) or Mar 29 – Apr 12 (safer date). The soil should be at least 35°F.

When to plant sweet corn in Raleigh

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about Mar 28 in Raleigh. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 12. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Raleigh

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Mar 28 in Raleigh. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 12. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 83 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 17, or by Aug 6 to be safe.

When to plant eggplant in Raleigh

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts eggplant outside around Apr 11 (typical date), Apr 17 (balanced) or Apr 26 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Mar 6, 6–9 weeks ahead of transplanting on Apr 17. Set out on Apr 17, eggplant plants would start producing around Jun 16, based on CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 145 days before the typical first frost (Nov 8).

When to plant cantaloupe in Raleigh

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant cantaloupe 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Apr 11 (typical date), Apr 17 (balanced) or Apr 26 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Raleigh

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant watermelon at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 11 using the typical date, Apr 17 as a balanced choice, or Apr 26 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Raleigh

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant winter squash at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 11 using the typical date, Apr 17 as a balanced choice, or Apr 26 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need 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 Raleigh?

Sow tomatoes indoors Mar 9–23 and peppers Feb 20 – Mar 6. We work back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Raleigh?

About Apr 27, at every risk level. CSU wants tomatoes out 2+ weeks after the average last frost (that rule alone gives about Apr 11 here) and nights above 52°F. At Raleigh State University, the average nightly low first rises above 52°F on Apr 27, later than the frost-rule date, so the night rule sets the date.

What can I plant in Raleigh in the fall?

Based on UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Nov 8), the deadlines are: peas by Aug 21; lettuce (leaf) by Aug 26; carrots by Aug 16; beans (snap) by Aug 12; summer squash by Aug 22; broccoli by Aug 21 (transplants); cabbage by Aug 1 (transplants); kohlrabi by Sep 5; green onions by Aug 26; radishes by Sep 25; spinach by Sep 15; turnips by Sep 5; beets by Aug 26; swiss chard by Aug 26; cucumbers by Aug 17.

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