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

Planting zone for 27256 — Gulf, NC

ZIP code 27256 (Gulf, Chatham County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 27256 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 10

First frostOct 30

2012 zone7b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gulf, 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 Gulf, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 15

Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Sanford 8 Ne, NC — 13 miles away, elevation 262 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 27256

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 27256 came on Feb 24 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
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 Gulf, NC.

Soil in Gulf, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27256 is Mayodan — fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mayodan fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 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 27256; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gulf, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days54days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights79nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,889base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.9 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: Sanford 8 Ne, NC (13 mi away); precipitation: Goldston 3.8 N, NC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Bear Creek, NC · 7 mi

Lemon Springs, NC · 13 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27256

What planting zone is ZIP code 27256?

ZIP code 27256 (Gulf, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Gulf, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27256 is April 10; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sanford 8 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Gulf, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27256 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27256?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27256 get?

About 48.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Goldston 3.8 N station).

How hot do summers get in Gulf, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 54 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27256 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mayodan at the center of ZIP 27256: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gulf, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27256 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gulf, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27256 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.