Mooresville, NC planting zone & frost dates
Mooresville is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 9 and the first fall frost around October 28, for a growing season of about 203 days.
Planting calendar for Mooresville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 9) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 26 – Mar 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 28).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
As an Amazon Associate, FrostZoneMap earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 24 | Apr 9 | Apr 24 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 8 | Oct 28 | Oct 15 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 24, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 15. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 28.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Mooresville
- 28115 zone 8a
- 28117 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Davidson zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- Cornelius zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- Huntersville zone 8a, last frost Mar 30
- Kannapolis zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- Statesville zone 7b, last frost Apr 16
- Concord zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- Harrisburg zone 8a, last frost Apr 1
- Salisbury zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
Questions
What growing zone is Mooresville, NC?
Mooresville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Mooresville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Mooresville is April 9. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 24.
When can I plant tomatoes in Mooresville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 16 – Apr 23. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Salisbury 9 Wnw, NC (USC00317618), 21.0 km (13.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 221 m, based on 26 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.