Gardening in North Carolina - What to Plant in Spring & Fall

Having a productive garden in North Carolina is easy to accomplish so long as you have the right plan. Below we’ll walk you through which plants thrive in North Carolina, when to plant in North Carolina, and how to adapt your garden as the seasons change.

Understanding North Carolina Hardiness Zones

Hardiness zones, sometimes referred to as “growing zones” or “planting zones”, were created by the USDA to help gardeners determine which plants are best suited for a particular location.

North Carolina encompasses 4 hardiness zones. They are zones 5, 6, 7 and 8. Before we get started, determine which zone you live in by visiting this interactive USDA hardiness zone map.

At their core, hardiness zones only represent how cold a particular area gets in winter. This information, combined with the average frost dates for your area, is the key to planting the right herbs and vegetables in North Carolina.

Below, we’ll guide you through the best crops to grow in your zone in North Carolina and when to plant them.

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Spring Gardening in North Carolina

Zones 6, 7 and 8

During the spring in North Carolina zones 6, 7 and 8, try planting short season produce in March that prefer cold weather, such as broccoli, broccolini, and carrots.

These crops will feel much more comfortable in the moderate temperatures of spring, as opposed to the intensity of a North Carolina summer. And their short growing period means once temperatures begin to rise, they’ll be ready to harvest and replaced with plants more adapt to the North Carolina heat.

Classic home garden produce, such as cucamelons, zucchini, anaheim peppers, and acorn squash are great options for mid-to-late spring planting.

For warm weather crops such as these, start seedlings indoors in March. In April and May, once temperatures at night are consistently above 50 degrees, transplant established plants to the garden.

Zone 5

In North Carolina growing zone 5, spring is considerably cold compared to most other areas. As a result, the viable growing season in these locations is fairly short.

To get the most out of your garden in North Carolina zone 5, seedlings should to be started indoors. We also recommend using a blanket of straw to help protect transplants from a surprise frost.

With so much of the growing season experiencing cooler temperatures, focusing on frost tolerant crops is a great strategy for success. Vegetables such as green peas, beets, buttercrunch lettuce, and onions can usually be planted in late April or May for zone 5. Cool weather crops that have a bit longer growing period, such as Brussels sprouts, parsnips, and artichokes, are another great option for the colder areas of North Carolina.

But at the end of the day, for most common garden vegetables in North Carolina zone 5, planting will have to wait until things warm up in June.

Fall Gardening in North Carolina

Zones 6, 7 and 8

Want to keep gardening in North Carolina zones 6, 7 and 8 even as the weather cools? You might be surprised by your options!

Fall crops for North Carolina zones 6, 7 and 8 are typically planted around July and August. This should give the plant enough time to establish itself before cold weather begins to set in. Think cold-loving crops such as romaine lettuce, kale, and broccolini. Hardy root vegetables and durable leafy greens are great options, especially if you’re looking for something to plant in September or early October.

Zone 5

For North Carolina growing zone 5, fall gardening is a race against the cold. Likely, you’ll want to plant short season fall crops during July or August, to ensure ample harvest time before the season’s first frost hits.

Cold hardy produce are the most viable fall crops for North Carolina growing zone 5. Some of our favorites for North Carolina are carrots, green peas, radishes, and buttercrunch lettuce. Not only can these type of plants withstand a bit of cold, but they’ll be great roasted or thrown in soups and stews during the North Carolina winter months.

You can also extend the life of your fall garden in North Carolina zone 5 by using methods such as hotbeds, covering plants with a plastic sheet at night, or “overwintering” perennials such as tomatoes and peppers.

Still not sure what to plant in North Carolina?

See our full list of growing guides for cold weather vegetables and warm weather vegetables for more inspiration.