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

Planting zone for 27527 — Clayton, NC

ZIP code 27527 (Clayton, Granville County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 27527 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 28

First frostNov 8

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Clayton, 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 Clayton, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Clayton 3e, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 331 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 27527

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 27527 came on Feb 22 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
Feb 22

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 Clayton, NC.

Soil in Clayton, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27527 is Cecil — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine 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 matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil loam, 6 to 10 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 27527; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Clayton, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights61nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,842base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 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

Precipitation49.9 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: Clayton 3e, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Clayton 3e, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

275288a

Clayton, NC · 4 mi

275938a

Wilsons Mills, NC · 5 mi

Knightdale, NC · 11 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Clayton → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27527

What planting zone is ZIP code 27527?

ZIP code 27527 (Clayton, 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 Clayton, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27527 is March 28; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton 3e station.

When is the first frost in Clayton, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27527 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27527?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27527 get?

About 49.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton 3e station).

How hot do summers get in Clayton, NC?

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

What kind of soil does 27527 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 27527: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Clayton, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27527 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Clayton, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27527 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.