Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Franklin, NC

Franklin, NC is in USDA zone 7b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 23.

Franklin on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 17

First frostOct 23

Growing season187 days

7b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Franklin, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Franklin, NC, elevation 2,126 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Franklin

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 23) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 28744 came on Feb 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Feb 26

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 7b in North Carolina

596 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Franklin, NC.

Soil in Franklin, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28744 is Braddock — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Braddock-Urban land complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 28744; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Franklin, NC

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,633base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation55.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Franklin, NC (within 1 mile); precipitation: Franklin, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Franklin

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about Franklin

What planting zone is Franklin, NC?

Franklin, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map (7b: 5 to 10 °F).

When is the last frost in Franklin, NC?

The median last spring frost is April 17 and the median first fall frost is October 23 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Franklin station).

When can I plant a garden in Franklin, NC?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 6 – Mar 27; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 24, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Franklin, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Franklin, NC get?

About 55.5 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).