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

Planting zone for 27109 — Winston-Salem, NC

ZIP code 27109 (Winston-Salem, Forsyth County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 27109 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 26
First frostNov 9
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Winston Salem Rynlds Airport, NC — 3 miles away, elevation 971 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 27109

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 27109 came on Feb 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (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 8a in North Carolina

619 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 92

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 136

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 191

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 173

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Winston-Salem, NC.

Soil in Winston-Salem, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27109 is Udorthents — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Udorthents, loamy.

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 27109; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Winston-Salem, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights64nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,578base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation43.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 68 °F 86°68° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 61 °F 80°61° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Winston Salem Rynlds Airport, NC (3 mi away); precipitation: Winston Salem Rynlds Airport, NC (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

271067b
Winston-Salem, NC · 3 mi
271118a
Winston-Salem, NC · 3 mi
271138a
Winston-Salem, NC · 3 mi
271148a
Winston-Salem, NC · 3 mi
271158a
Winston-Salem, NC · 3 mi
271168a
Winston-Salem, NC · 3 mi
271208a
Winston-Salem, NC · 3 mi
271998a
Winston-Salem, NC · 3 mi

All 25 ZIP codes in Winston-Salem → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27109

What planting zone is ZIP code 27109?

ZIP code 27109 (Winston-Salem, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Winston-Salem, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27109 is March 26; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winston Salem Rynlds Airport station.

When is the first frost in Winston-Salem, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27109 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27109?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27109 get?

About 43.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winston Salem Rynlds Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Winston-Salem, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27109 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 27109: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Winston-Salem, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27109 came on Feb 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Winston-Salem, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27109 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27109 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27109 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.