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Planting Calendar for Matthews, NC

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on November 1 (at MONROE AP, NC climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Sep 13-Oct 18
Moon Sep 21-Oct 6
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Aug 9-Sep 6
Moon Aug 10-22
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 23-Sep 13
Moon Aug 23-Sep 7
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Aug 2-9
Moon Aug 2-9
Frost Aug 23-Sep 6
Moon Aug 23-Sep 6
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jul 12-26
Moon Jul 24-26
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Aug 2-9
Moon Aug 2-9
Frost Aug 23-30
Moon Aug 23-30
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Aug 16-23
Moon Aug 16-22
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 26-Aug 2
Moon Jul 26-Aug 2
Frost Aug 9-16
Moon Aug 9
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Aug 9-Sep 6
Moon Aug 9, Aug 24-Sep 6
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Aug 2-16
Moon Aug 2-9
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Nov 14-28
Moon Nov 14-19
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Aug 16-30
Moon Aug 23-30
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 23-Sep 6
Moon Aug 23-Sep 6
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 30-Sep 20
Moon Aug 30-Sep 7
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 23-Sep 6
Moon Aug 23-Sep 6
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 30-Sep 20
Moon Aug 30-Sep 7
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 23-Sep 6
Moon Aug 23-Sep 6
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 20-Oct 4
Moon Sep 20
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Sep 13-Oct 4
Moon Sep 21-Oct 4
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 23-Sep 6
Moon Aug 23-Sep 6
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 30-Sep 13
Moon Sep 8-13
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on April 6 (at MONROE AP, NC climate station, elevation 679 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Feb 8-22
Moon Feb 8-12
Frost Mar 16-30
Moon Mar 29-30
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Oct 4
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-28
Apr 6
BasilFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 27-May 4
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 27-May 4
Sep 20
BeetsN/AFrost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 23-28
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 15-16
Apr 20
Bell PeppersFrost Jan 25-Feb 8
Moon Jan 29-Feb 8
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
N/AAug 9
Bok ChoyFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
May 18
BroccoliFrost Feb 8-22
Moon Feb 8-12
Frost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 29-Apr 6
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Aug 30
Brussels SproutsFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 29-Apr 6
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Jul 26
CabbageFrost Feb 8-22
Moon Feb 8-12
Frost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 29-Apr 6
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Apr 13
CantaloupesFrost Mar 16-30
Moon Mar 29-30
Frost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-12
Frost Apr 13-20
Jul 26
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Mar 8-23
Moon Mar 15-23
Aug 23
CauliflowerFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Mar 30-Apr 13
Moon Mar 30-Apr 12
N/AAug 16
CeleryFrost Jan 11-25
Moon Jan 11-13
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 6
Moon Apr 6
Aug 23
ChivesFrost Feb 8-22
Moon Feb 8-12
Frost Mar 16-23
Frost Mar 16-23
Sep 6
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-12
Apr 27
CollardsFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 29-Apr 6
Frost Mar 16-23
Aug 23
CucumbersFrost Mar 16-23
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Aug 23
DillN/AN/AFrost Mar 30-Apr 20
Moon Mar 30-Apr 12
Sep 6
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Jul 26
EggplantsFrost Feb 8-22
Moon Feb 8-12
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
N/AAug 23
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Apr 20
FennelFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Apr 13-20
Frost Apr 6-20
Moon Apr 6-12
Aug 16
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 13-May 4
Moon Apr 27-May 4
Aug 23
Honeydew MelonsFrost Mar 16-23
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Aug 2
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Jan 25-Feb 8
Moon Jan 29-Feb 8
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
N/A
KaleFrost Feb 8-22
Moon Feb 8-12
Frost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 29-Apr 6
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Apr 20
KohlrabiFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Mar 16-23
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Apr 20
LeeksFrost Jan 25-Feb 8
Moon Jan 29-Feb 8
Frost Mar 16-30
Moon Mar 29-30
N/AJul 19
LettuceFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Mar 16-23
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Apr 20
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Mar 8-23
Moon Mar 8-14
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 27-May 4
Aug 23
OnionsN/AFrost Mar 8-23
Moon Mar 15-23
N/AJul 26
OreganoFrost Jan 25-Feb 22
Moon Jan 29-Feb 12
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 27
N/AAug 23
ParsleyFrost Jan 25-Feb 8
Moon Jan 29-Feb 8
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Mar 8-Apr 13
Moon Mar 8-14, Mar 29-Apr 12
Aug 16
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 15-16
Jul 26
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost Apr 27-May 11
PeasN/AN/AFrost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Apr 20
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Mar 8-23
Moon Mar 15-23
Aug 23
PumpkinsFrost Mar 16-30
Moon Mar 29-30
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Jul 19
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 15-16
Sep 6
RosemaryFrost Jan 11-25
Moon Jan 11-13
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
N/ASep 6
SageFrost Feb 8-22
Moon Feb 8-12
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 27
N/AAug 16
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Mar 8-23
Moon Mar 15-23
Jul 26
SpinachFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Mar 16-23
Frost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 8-14
Apr 20
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 27-May 4
Aug 16
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 20-26
Jul 19
Swiss ChardFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Mar 23-Apr 6
Moon Mar 29-Apr 6
Frost Mar 16-Apr 6
Moon Mar 29-Apr 6
Apr 20
ThymeFrost Jan 25-Feb 8
Moon Jan 29-Feb 8
Frost Apr 13-20
N/AAug 9
TomatillosFrost Feb 22-Mar 8
Moon Feb 27-Mar 8
Frost Apr 20-May 4
Moon Apr 27-May 4
N/AAug 16
TomatoesFrost Feb 8-22
Moon Feb 8-12
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
N/AAug 2
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 8-16
Moon Mar 15-16
Oct 4
WatermelonsFrost Mar 16-30
Moon Mar 29-30
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 13-20
Aug 2
Winter SquashFrost Mar 16-23
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Jul 12
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Mar 16-23
Frost Apr 13-27
Moon Apr 27
Frost Apr 20-27
Moon Apr 27
Aug 30
The Old Farmer's Store