North Carolina Growing Guides

Resources, planting calendars, and crop guides for NC's growing zones (6a-8b)

NC Hardiness Zones

North Carolina spans USDA zones 6a (mountains) through 8b (coast). Know your zone to choose the right crops and planting times.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Official interactive map - enter your zip code to find your exact zone.

USDA Agricultural Research Service

NC State University Extension

Find your local county extension office for personalized growing advice.

NC State Extension

Vegetables for North Carolina

Tomatoes

Plant: Apr-May | Harvest: Jun-Oct

NC's most popular farmers market crop. Cherokee Purple, Better Boy, and Rutgers thrive here.

NC State Tomato Guide Old Farmer's Almanac - Tomatoes SE Tomato Production Guide

Sweet Potatoes

Plant: May-Jun | Harvest: Sep-Nov

NC is the #1 sweet potato producer in the US. Beauregard and Covington are top varieties.

NC State Sweet Potato Portal NC Sweet Potato Commission Almanac Sweet Potato Guide

Collard Greens

Plant: Jul-Sep (fall) or Feb-Mar (spring) | Harvest: Oct-Mar

A staple of NC cuisine. Cold-hardy and improves in flavor after frost.

NC State Collard Guide Almanac - Collards

Peppers

Plant: May | Harvest: Jul-Oct

Bell peppers, jalapenos, and Carolina Reapers all do well in NC's heat.

NC State Pepper Guide Almanac - Peppers SE Vegetable Handbook

Cucumbers

Plant: Apr-May | Harvest: Jun-Sep

Great for direct sales and value-added products (pickles). Marketmore and Straight Eight are reliable.

NC State Cucumber Guide Almanac - Cucumbers

Squash & Zucchini

Plant: Apr-May | Harvest: Jun-Oct

Heavy producers and always popular at market. Yellow crookneck and zucchini are top sellers.

NC State Squash Guide Almanac - Zucchini

Okra

Plant: May-Jun | Harvest: Jul-Oct

Loves NC summers. Clemson Spineless is the standard. Popular for fried okra and gumbo.

NC State Okra Guide Almanac - Okra

Green Beans

Plant: Apr-Aug | Harvest: Jun-Oct

Bush and pole varieties both perform well. Multiple successions extend your market season.

NC State Bean Guide Almanac - Green Beans

Sweet Corn

Plant: Apr-May | Harvest: Jul-Sep

Silver Queen is the iconic NC variety. High demand at markets but requires space.

NC State Sweet Corn Guide Almanac - Sweet Corn

Lettuce & Greens

Plant: Feb-Apr, Sep-Oct | Harvest: Mar-May, Oct-Dec

Cool-season crop perfect for spring and fall markets. Mesclun mixes command premium prices.

NC State Lettuce Guide NC State Kale Guide Almanac - Lettuce

Watermelon

Plant: May | Harvest: Jul-Sep

A summer market essential. Crimson Sweet and Sugar Baby varieties are popular.

NC State Watermelon Guide Almanac - Watermelon

Cabbage

Plant: Feb-Mar, Aug-Sep | Harvest: May-Jun, Oct-Dec

Spring and fall crop. Great for direct sale and value-added products like sauerkraut.

NC State Cabbage Guide Almanac - Cabbage

Fruits for North Carolina

Strawberries

Plant: Oct (plugs) or Mar | Harvest: Apr-Jun

One of the first and most profitable spring market crops. Chandler is the leading NC variety.

NC State Strawberry Guide NC Strawberry Association Resources Almanac - Strawberries

Blueberries

Plant: Dec-Mar | Harvest: Jun-Aug

NC is a top blueberry state. Rabbiteye varieties for Piedmont/Coastal, Highbush for mountains.

NC State Blueberry Guide NC Blueberry Council Almanac - Blueberries

Peaches

Plant: Dec-Feb | Harvest: Jun-Sep

Sandhills region is prime peach country. Requires 3-4 years to bearing age.

NC State Peach Guide Almanac - Peaches

Blackberries

Plant: Dec-Mar | Harvest: Jun-Aug

Thornless varieties like Ouachita and Natchez are customer favorites at market.

NC State Blackberry Guide Almanac - Blackberries

Muscadine Grapes

Plant: Mar-Apr | Harvest: Aug-Oct

Native to the Southeast! Carlos and Noble are popular. Great for jams, wine, and fresh eating.

NC State Muscadine Guide Almanac - Grapes

Figs

Plant: Mar-Apr | Harvest: Jul-Oct

Hardy in NC zones 7-8. Celeste (Sugar Fig) and Brown Turkey are reliable. Premium market price.

NC State Fig Guide Almanac - Figs

Apples

Plant: Dec-Mar | Harvest: Aug-Nov

NC mountains are prime apple country. Henderson County is the 7th largest apple-producing county in the US.

NC State Apple Guide NC Apple Growers Association Almanac - Apples

Herbs & Specialty Crops

Basil

Plant: May | Harvest: Jun-Oct

High-value herb crop. Genovese for pesto, Thai basil for Asian cuisine. Sells fast at market.

NC State Basil Guide Almanac - Basil

Cut Flowers

Plant: Mar-May | Harvest: May-Oct

Sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias are top sellers. High profit margins per square foot.

NC State Cut Flower Guide Specialty Cut Flower Association

Microgreens

Year-round (indoor)

High-value crop grown indoors. 7-14 day turnaround. Popular with restaurants and health-conscious buyers.

NC State Microgreens Info Johnny's Microgreens Guide

Honey & Bees

Year-round management | Harvest: Spring-Fall

Local honey commands premium prices. NC has great forage for bees year-round.

NC State Beekeeping Resources NC State Beekeepers Association

NC Planting Calendar Resources

NC Extension Gardener Handbook

Comprehensive guide covering all aspects of gardening and growing in NC. Free online resource.

NC State Extension

Old Farmer's Almanac NC Planting Dates

Enter your zip code for customized frost dates and planting windows.

Old Farmer's Almanac

SE US Vegetable Crop Handbook

Commercial production guide for southeastern vegetable growers. Includes varieties, pest management, and more.

NC State / Land-Grant Universities

NC Farms App

Connect with other NC farms, find agritourism events, and market your farm.

NC Department of Agriculture

NC Dept. of Agriculture - Markets Division

Official state resources for farmers market regulations, permits, and vendor information.

NC Department of Agriculture

Growing Small Farms

NC State Extension program specifically for small farm operators. Business planning, marketing, production guides.

NC State Extension

Farm Business Resources

NC Farmers Market Vendor Requirements

State requirements for selling at farmers markets including permits, food safety, and labeling.

NC Dept. of Agriculture

SARE Marketing Strategies

Free guide on marketing strategies for farmers and ranchers. Pricing, branding, and direct sales.

USDA SARE

USDA Farm Loan Programs

Federal loans for beginning farmers, microloans, and operating loans.

USDA Farm Service Agency

Center for Environmental Farming Systems

NC State research center for sustainable agriculture. Resources on organic farming, local food systems, and more.

NC State / NC A&T

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

Support for organic and sustainable farmers in the Carolinas. Workshops, certification help, and networking.

CFSA

NRCS Conservation Programs

Federal cost-share programs for soil health, irrigation, high tunnels, and more.

USDA NRCS

What to Plant by Month (Piedmont NC)

January

Order seeds. Start onion sets indoors. Plan crop rotation. Prune fruit trees.

February

Start tomato/pepper seeds indoors. Direct sow peas, spinach, lettuce, kale. Plant asparagus crowns.

March

Transplant cool-season crops. Direct sow beets, carrots, chard. Plant potatoes, onion sets. Start herb seeds.

April

Transplant tomatoes after last frost. Direct sow beans, corn, squash. Plant strawberry runners.

May

Plant warm-season crops: peppers, eggplant, okra, melons, sweet potatoes. Succession plant beans and corn.

June

Succession plant squash, beans, cucumbers. Start fall brassica seeds indoors. Harvest berries begins.

July

Plant fall beans and squash. Start fall cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower indoors. Peak harvest season begins.

August

Transplant fall brassicas. Direct sow turnips, collards, kale. Plant fall lettuce and greens.

September

Direct sow spinach, arugula, radishes. Plant garlic cloves. Cover crop empty beds. Sweet potato harvest.

October

Plant garlic, shallots. Sow cover crops (crimson clover, rye). Harvest winter squash, sweet potatoes.

November

Plant strawberry plugs (coastal). Harvest collards, kale (better after frost). Put garden to bed. Soil testing.

December

Order next year's seeds. Plan crop rotation. Review season's sales data. Maintain equipment. Prune dormant trees.