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

Planting zone for 27253 — Graham, NC

ZIP code 27253 (Graham, Alamance County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 27253 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 frostApr 6

First frostNov 1

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 Graham, 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 Graham, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Cane Creek Rsvr, NC — 6 miles away, elevation 525 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 27253

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 27253 came on Feb 26 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22).

average
Feb 222026
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 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.

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 Graham, NC.

Soil in Graham, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27253 is Louisburg — coarse sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Louisburg coarse sandy loam, 15 to 45 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 27253; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Graham, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights86nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,403base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.3 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: Cane Creek Rsvr, NC (6 mi away); precipitation: Haw River 8.6 Sse, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

273408a

Saxapahaw, NC · 3 mi

273598a

Swepsonville, NC · 4 mi

Burlington, NC · 9 mi

272158a

Burlington, NC · 10 mi

272438a

Efland, NC · 10 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27253

What planting zone is ZIP code 27253?

ZIP code 27253 (Graham, 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 Graham, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27253 is April 6; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cane Creek Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Graham, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27253 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27253?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27253 get?

About 47.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Haw River 8.6 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Graham, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27253 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Louisburg at the center of ZIP 27253: coarse sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Graham, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27253 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Graham, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27253 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27253 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27253 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.