Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 27536 — Henderson, NC

ZIP code 27536 (Henderson, Vance County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 27536 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 16

First frostOct 26

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 Henderson, 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 Henderson, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Henderson 2 Nnw, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 479 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 27536

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 27536 came on Mar 2 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Mar 2

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 Henderson, NC.

Soil in Henderson, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27536 is Appling — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Appling-Urban land complex, 2 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 27536; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Henderson, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights106nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,341base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Henderson 2 Nnw, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Henderson 2 Nnw, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

275377b

Henderson, NC · 2 mi

275567b

Middleburg, NC · 7 mi

275447b

Kittrell, NC · 9 mi

275847b

Townsville, NC · 12 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Henderson → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27536

What planting zone is ZIP code 27536?

ZIP code 27536 (Henderson, 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 Henderson, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27536 is April 16; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Henderson 2 Nnw station.

When is the first frost in Henderson, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27536 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27536?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27536 get?

About 48.6 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Henderson 2 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Henderson, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27536 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Appling at the center of ZIP 27536: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Henderson, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27536 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Henderson, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27536 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.