Planting calendar for Charlotte, North Carolina

Dates from 30 years of records at the Charlotte Douglas Airport weather station, 6.3 miles from Charlotte, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Charlotte at a glance

Weather station: Charlotte Douglas Airport · 6.3 mi
USDA zone: 8a
Last spring frost: typically Mar 30; 1 year in 10 after Apr 14
First fall frost: typically Nov 3; 1 year in 10 before Oct 22
Frost-free season: about 218 days
Hottest month: July: highs 90°F, nights 70°F
Coldest month: January: highs 52°F, nights 32°F
Rain: 44 in. a year, most in March, June and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Charlotte typically comes around Mar 30, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 14. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 3. That leaves about 218 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Charlotte gets about 44 inches of rain a year, most of it in March, June and August.

159 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 15 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Charlotte, month by month

January7

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Shallot, Spinach

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Rutabaga, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Lavender, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Stock

February13

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Collard greens, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blueberry

Flowers: Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Cauliflower, Eggplant, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

March60

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Eggplant, Tomatillo, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Anise hyssop, Basil, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Milkweed (native)

April50

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Calendula, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Celery, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Shallot, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Catnip, Chamomile, Dill, Lemon balm, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Marigold, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May30

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Purslane, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Lemon verbena, Papalo, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Celosia, Cleome (spider flower)

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Ginger, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Epazote, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

June25

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass, Stevia

Fruit: Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Celosia, Statice

Start seeds indoors

Cabbage, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

July40

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Caraway, Parsley

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Parsnip, Purslane, Shallot, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (early / short-season), Borage, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Calendula, Nasturtium, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Leek, Pansy / viola, Stock

August40

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Calendula, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Radish, Cilantro, Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

September20

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Parsnip, Radish, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli raab (rapini), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Rutabaga, Spinach, Chervil

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

October13

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

November12

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

December10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Charlotte

159 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 26–May 10, Aug 16–Sep 5	May 11–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 9–23, Jul 15–Aug 4	Apr 24–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 16–27	—	Jan 12–23	Set out plants
Arugula	Feb 16–Apr 2, Sep 9–26	Apr 3–May 2, Aug 6–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 9–23, Jul 29–Aug 19	Apr 24–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 9–23, Jun 24–Jul 15	Apr 24–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Apr 26–May 10, Jun 30–Jul 20	May 11–Jun 29	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 9–23, Jul 19–Aug 9	Apr 24–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 2–23, Aug 14–Sep 4	Mar 24–Apr 20, Jul 14–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 9–23, Jul 17–Aug 7	Apr 24–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 16–Apr 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 2–16, Aug 15–27	Mar 17–Apr 1	Jan 19–Feb 2, Jul 4–16	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 2–29	Mar 30–Apr 15, Aug 15–Sep 14	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Sep 18–Dec 19	Aug 15–Sep 17, Dec 20–Mar 4	Aug 7–Nov 7	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 23–Mar 9, Jul 29–Aug 15	Mar 10–Apr 3	Jan 12–26, Jun 17–Jul 4	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 14–28	May 29–Jun 21	Mar 12–26	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 9–30, Aug 4–25	Mar 31–Apr 13, Jul 6–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 9–23	Mar 24–Apr 6	Jan 26–Feb 9	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Mar 16–30, Jun 20–Jul 11	Mar 31–Apr 4, May 3–Jun 19	Apr 4–25, Dec 29–Jan 12	Set out plants
Celery	Mar 21–Apr 4, Jun 16–Jul 7	Apr 5–10, May 19–Jun 15	Jan 3–17, Mar 31–Apr 21	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Mar 9–23	—	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 9–30, Aug 12–Sep 1	Mar 31–Apr 21, Jul 3–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Jan 10–Feb 28, Sep 12–Dec 31	Mar 1–Apr 29, Jun 12–Sep 11, Jan 1–9	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 9–23, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 24–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 9–23, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 24–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 9–23, Aug 26–Sep 4	Mar 24–30	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 2–22	May 11–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 5–25	May 11–Jul 4	Feb 22–Mar 8, May 3–23	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 13–Nov 17	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 16–Apr 19, Sep 15–30	Apr 20–May 17, Aug 23–Sep 14	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 7–Jul 4	May 14–Jun 6, Jul 5–8	Apr 19–May 16	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 2–16	Mar 17–Apr 27	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Jan 14–Feb 26, Sep 22–Dec 27	Feb 27–Apr 20, Jul 13–Sep 21, Dec 28–Jan 13	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 2–16, Aug 22–Sep 11	Mar 17–Apr 24, Jul 29–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Mar 30–Apr 13, Aug 16–Sep 19	Apr 14–May 4, Jul 18–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Jan 11–Feb 6, Sep 5–Dec 30	Feb 7–Mar 13, May 30–Sep 4, Dec 31–Jan 10	Jul 4–Oct 28, Nov 9–Dec 5	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 2–Apr 4, Aug 30–Sep 16	Apr 5–25, Jul 30–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 9–27	Mar 28–Apr 6, Aug 15–30	Feb 2–20	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 14–28	May 29–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Jan 24–Feb 16, Oct 6–Dec 16	Feb 17–Mar 20, Sep 11–Oct 5, Dec 17–Jan 23	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 9	Mar 26–Apr 9	Set out plants
Moringa	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Feb 16–Mar 27	Mar 28–Apr 21, Aug 15–Sep 24	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Mar 16–Apr 1	Apr 2–11, Jul 29–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 9–23, Jul 22–Aug 11	Apr 24–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 9	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 14–28, Jul 20–Aug 9	May 29–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Feb 16–Mar 24, Jun 11–Jul 21	Mar 25–Jun 10	Mar 26–May 5, Dec 1–Jan 6	Set out plants
Parsnip	Jan 9–Feb 3, Sep 5–Jan 1	Jan 2–8, Feb 4–Mar 10, May 26–Sep 4	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Feb 16–Mar 2, Aug 15–Sep 1	Mar 3–Apr 6	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Feb 16–Mar 2, Aug 15–Sep 1	Mar 3–Apr 4	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 14–29	—	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 16–30, Jun 27–Jul 18	May 1–Jun 26	Feb 12–26, Apr 25–May 16	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 13–27, Jul 7–28	Apr 28–Jul 6	Feb 9–23, May 5–26	Set out plants
Popcorn	Apr 9–16	Apr 17–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Mar 2–27, Jun 20–Jul 7	Mar 28–Apr 17, May 30–Jun 19, Jul 8–17	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 9–23, Jun 2–23	Apr 24–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 28–Aug 18	May 11–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 2–9	—	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Feb 23–Apr 8, Sep 18–Oct 8	Apr 9–May 15, Aug 20–Sep 17	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 2–27	—	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Sep 29–Dec 21	Sep 4–28, Dec 22–Feb 23	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	May 10–Jun 21	—	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 14–28, May 31–Jun 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Jan 18–Feb 27, Aug 25–Dec 23	Feb 28–Apr 12, May 24–Aug 24, Dec 24–Jan 17	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 14–28, Jul 2–23	May 29–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Jan 17–Feb 19, Oct 7–Dec 25	Feb 20–Apr 9, Aug 26–Oct 6, Dec 26–Jan 16	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 9–23, Jul 25–Aug 14	Apr 24–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Mar 15–Apr 5	Mar 9–14, Apr 6–20	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 9–16, Jul 7–27	Apr 17–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 3–23	May 14–Jun 2	Apr 15–May 5	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 9–30, Aug 19–Sep 9	Mar 31–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–Jul 25	Feb 26–Mar 12	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 9–23, Jul 22–Aug 11	Apr 24–Jul 21	Feb 19–Mar 5, Jun 3–23	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 6–13, Jul 27–Aug 16	Apr 14–Jul 26	Feb 16–23, Jun 8–28	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Apr 26–May 10, Jul 9–30	May 11–Jul 8	Mar 8–22, May 21–Jun 11	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 9–23, Jul 9–30	Apr 24–Jul 8	Feb 19–Mar 5, May 21–Jun 11	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 9–23, Jul 7–27	Apr 24–Jul 6	Feb 19–Mar 5, May 19–Jun 8	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 2–16, Aug 24–Sep 14	Mar 17–Apr 24, Jul 29–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 9–23	Mar 24–May 1	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 14–28	May 29–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	Apr 26–May 10, Jun 2–23	May 11–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 9–23, Jun 12–Jul 3	Apr 24–Jun 11	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 14–28, Jul 7–28	May 29–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 13–Mar 13	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 26–May 3, Jul 20–Aug 9	May 4–Jul 19	Mar 22–29, Jun 15–Jul 5	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Mar 30–Apr 23	Apr 24–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 5	Set out plants
Borage	Mar 23–Apr 17, Jul 28–Aug 26	Apr 18–May 10, Jun 25–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 9–23, Jul 25–Aug 15	Mar 24–Apr 3, Jun 24–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–27	Jan 26–Feb 16	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 2–16, Aug 9–30	Mar 17–Apr 14, Jul 7–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 9–24	Mar 25–Apr 5, Aug 26–Sep 14	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Mar 30–Apr 22	Apr 23–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 4	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 16–29	Mar 30–Apr 9, Aug 15–Sep 6	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 24–Jun 21	Apr 26–May 23	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 14–28	May 29–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 16–23, Aug 10–31	Mar 24–Apr 27, Jul 22–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 9–23, Aug 3–24	Apr 24–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Mar 30–Apr 18, Aug 23–Sep 12	Apr 19–May 7, Aug 2–22	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 23–Apr 7	Apr 8–23	Feb 2–17	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Lavender	Apr 6–23	Apr 24–May 25	Jan 19–Feb 5	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–27	Feb 9–Mar 2	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Apr 23–May 14	Apr 6–22, May 15–25	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 6–Jul 4	May 14–Jun 5, Jul 5–9	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 16–Apr 1	—	Jan 26–Feb 11	Set out plants
Marjoram	Apr 6–30	May 1–25	Feb 16–Mar 12	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 16–Apr 6	Apr 7–27	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Mar 30–Apr 26	Apr 27–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 8	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 26–May 10	May 11–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 9–23, Jul 25–Aug 15	Mar 24–Apr 23, Jun 3–Jul 24	Jan 5–19, May 23–Jun 13	Set out plants
Rosemary	Apr 6–23	Apr 24–May 25	Jan 19–Feb 5	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 23–Apr 20	Apr 21–May 18	Feb 2–Mar 2	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 9–16	Apr 17–Aug 6	Mar 5–12	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 9–Apr 5	Apr 6–May 3	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 21–Jun 14	Apr 26–May 20	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Mar 30–Apr 13	Apr 14–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Mar 30–Apr 12	Apr 13–27	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Mar 30–Apr 22	Apr 23–May 25	Feb 2–25	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 7–Jun 4	Apr 9–May 6	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 23–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 2–Mar 9	Mar 10–Apr 20	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Apr 26–May 10, Jun 25–Jul 15	May 11–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–Jul 30	Mar 5–19	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 9–Apr 6	Apr 7–May 18	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–Aug 4	Feb 19–Mar 5	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Mar 9–30	Mar 31–Apr 20	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 2–15	Mar 16–29	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 2–30	Mar 31–Apr 27	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Apr 26–May 10, Jun 22–Jul 13	May 11–Jun 21	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 17–Aug 15	Apr 9–Jun 16, Aug 16–24	Apr 8–Jun 6	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 2–20	Mar 21–29, Aug 15–27	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 4–Jul 27	Mar 30–Jun 3	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 16–Apr 7, Aug 17–Sep 11	Apr 8–23, Jul 16–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 2–20	Mar 21–29, Aug 15–27	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 14–21, Jun 27–Jul 18	May 22–Jun 26	Mar 26–Apr 2, May 9–30	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 25–Jul 17	Apr 9–May 24, Jul 18–25	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 2–17	Mar 18–Apr 1	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 1–Jul 21	Apr 26–May 31, Jul 22–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	May 31–Jul 20	Apr 26–May 30, Jul 21–Aug 4	Apr 12–Jun 1	Set out plants
Larkspur	Sep 24–Dec 19	Aug 26–Sep 23, Dec 20–Mar 3	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 18–Aug 17	Apr 9–Jun 17, Aug 18–19	Apr 30–Jun 29	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 23–Mar 23	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Mar 30–Apr 14, Aug 9–24	Apr 15–24, Jul 18–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 16–Mar 9, Sep 6–26	Mar 10–Apr 4, Sep 4–5	Jun 21–Jul 11, Dec 1–22	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 15–Aug 7	May 14–Jun 14, Aug 8–28	Apr 13–Jun 5	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Mar 30–Apr 27	Apr 28–May 25	Jan 12–Feb 9	Set out plants
Statice	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 26–Aug 16	Apr 14–May 3, Jun 17–Jul 25	Jan 26–Feb 9, May 24–Jun 14	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 16–30, Aug 26–Sep 14	—	Jan 12–26, Jun 24–Jul 13	Set out plants
Strawflower	Mar 30–Apr 13, Aug 3–23	Apr 14–May 8, Jun 23–Aug 2	Feb 9–23, Jun 15–Jul 5	Set out plants
Sunflower	May 30–Jul 20	Apr 9–May 29	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 9–Apr 5, Aug 20–Sep 13	Apr 6–24, Jul 18–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 16–Mar 10	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 2–Jul 23	Apr 26–Jun 1, Jul 24–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Charlotte

These need a climate Charlotte doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 218 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 218 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Fennel (bulb): The frost-free season (about 218 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 218 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 218 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 32°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 218 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Snapdragon: The frost-free season (about 218 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 218 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Columbia, SC 85 mi · last frost around Mar 16
Augusta, GA 137 mi · last frost around Feb 27
Savannah, GA 218 mi · last frost around Mar 2
Charleston, WV 220 mi · last frost around Apr 16
Atlanta, GA 226 mi · last frost around Mar 24
All North Carolina cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Charlotte Douglas Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).