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

Planting zone for 27551 — Macon, NC

ZIP code 27551 (Macon, Warren County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 27551 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 3

First frostNov 5

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 Macon, 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 Macon, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Arcola, NC — 11 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 27551

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 27551 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 Macon, NC.

Soil in Macon, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27551 is Cecil — 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 classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 8 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 27551; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Macon, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights86nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,539base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.8 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: Arcola, NC (11 mi away); precipitation: Norlina 5.0 N, NC (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Littleton, NC · 10 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27551

What planting zone is ZIP code 27551?

ZIP code 27551 (Macon, 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 Macon, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27551 is April 3; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Arcola station.

When is the first frost in Macon, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27551 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27551?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27551 get?

About 46.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Norlina 5.0 N station).

How hot do summers get in Macon, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27551 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 27551: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Macon, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27551 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 Macon, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27551 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27551 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27551 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.