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

Planting zone for Shallotte, NC

Shallotte, NC is in USDA zone 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 17.

Shallotte 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 20

First frostNov 17

Growing season243 days

8b 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 Shallotte, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season243 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Shallotte Ag, NC, elevation 20 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 Shallotte

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 28470 came on Feb 18 — 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
Feb 18

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 8b in North Carolina

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Shallotte, NC.

Soil in Shallotte, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28470 is Onslow — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Onslow fine sandy loam.

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 28470; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shallotte, NC

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,453base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation56.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shallotte Ag, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Shallotte Ag, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Shallotte

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about Shallotte

What planting zone is Shallotte, NC?

Shallotte, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Shallotte, NC?

The median last spring frost is March 20 and the median first fall frost is November 17 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shallotte Ag station).

When can I plant a garden in Shallotte, NC?

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

What kind of onions grow in Shallotte, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Shallotte, NC get?

About 56.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).