What Grows in Durham, NC?
Durham in the Research Triangle has excellent growing conditions and a strong urban farming community.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Durham is in USDA Zone 7b with about 200 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, beans, and more here.
Planting tips for Durham
Strong local food scene. Urban farms thriving. Plant warm crops April 1.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost March 20, first frost October 28.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb
Garlic
What grows well in Durham
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Rhubarb
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Durham, NC in?
Durham, NC is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Durham?
The average last spring frost in Durham is around March 20, and the first fall frost is typically October 28. Plan to move tender plants outside after March 20 and have them harvested (or protected) before October 28.
What grows well in Durham?
Plenty — Durham's USDA Zone 7b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Durham's growing season?
Durham typically has around 200 frost-free days per year (roughly March 20 to October 28). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Durham?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Durham.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Durham?
Yes — Durham's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Durham?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around March 20), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.