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

Planting zone for 27342 — Sedalia, NC

ZIP code 27342 (Sedalia, Guilford County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 27342 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 1

First frostNov 2

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 Sedalia, 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 Sedalia, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 21

Growing season215 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 18 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Burlington Alamance Airport, NC — 8 miles away, elevation 617 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 27342

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 27342 came on Feb 26 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

average
Feb 232026
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 Sedalia, NC.

Soil in Sedalia, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27342 is Mecklenburg — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mecklenburg sandy clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 27342; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sedalia, NC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights78nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,922base 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

Precipitation43.3 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: Burlington Alamance Airport, NC (8 mi away); precipitation: Burlington Alamance Airport, NC (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

273778a

Whitsett, NC · 2 mi

273018a

McLeansville, NC · 4 mi

272158a

Burlington, NC · 7 mi

272498a

Gibsonville, NC · 7 mi

274058a

Greensboro, NC · 7 mi

272018a

Alamance, NC · 8 mi

272168a

Burlington, NC · 8 mi

272838a

Julian, NC · 8 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27342

What planting zone is ZIP code 27342?

ZIP code 27342 (Sedalia, 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 Sedalia, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27342 is April 1; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burlington Alamance Airport station.

When is the first frost in Sedalia, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27342 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 215 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27342?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27342 get?

About 43.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burlington Alamance Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Sedalia, NC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 48 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27342 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mecklenburg at the center of ZIP 27342: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Sedalia, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27342 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sedalia, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27342 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27342 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27342 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.