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

Planting zone for Statesville, NC

Statesville, NC is in USDA zones 7b to 8a across its 3 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 25.

Statesville on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 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.

Zones7b–8a5 to 15 °F

ZIP codes3

Last frostApr 16

First frostOct 25

Growing season191 days

7b 2 ZIPs 8a 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Statesville, NC…

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 Statesville, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Statesville 2 Nne, NC, elevation 804 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 Statesville

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 28687 came on Feb 24 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Feb 24

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 Statesville, NC.

Soil in Statesville, NC

The center of ZIP 28687 is mapped as Urban land: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 28687; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Statesville, NC

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights99nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,103base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall5 inper year; 2 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: Statesville 2 Nne, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Statesville 2 Nne, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Statesville

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about Statesville

What planting zone is Statesville, NC?

Statesville, NC is in USDA hardiness zones 7b to 8a on the 2023 map (7b: 5 to 10 °F; 8a: 10 to 15 °F).

When is the last frost in Statesville, NC?

The median last spring frost is April 16 and the median first fall frost is October 25 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Statesville 2 Nne station).

When can I plant a garden in Statesville, NC?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 5 – Mar 26; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 23, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Statesville, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Statesville, NC get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year and 5 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).