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

Planting zone for 27708 — Durham, NC

ZIP code 27708 (Durham, Durham County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 27708 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 2
First frostNov 4
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 Durham, 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 Durham, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 24
Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 19 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Durham, NC — 3 miles away, elevation 400 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 27708

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 27708 came on Feb 24 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

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.

Trees 92

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 136

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 191

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 173

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Durham, NC.

Soil in Durham, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27708 is White Store — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: White Store-Urban land complex, 0 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 27708; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Durham, NC

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights84nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,272base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 36 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation50 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 30 °F 53°30° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 67 °F 85°67° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 61 °F 79°61° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° OctNovember: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 2.96 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 4.81 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 JulAugust: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 5.90 in precipitation 5.9 SepOctober: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Durham, NC (3 mi away); precipitation: Durham 1.2 Nw, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

277068a
Durham, NC · <1 mi
277228a
Durham, NC · 3 mi
277018a
Durham, NC · 3 mi
277058a
Durham, NC · 3 mi
277078a
Durham, NC · 3 mi
277028a
Durham, NC · 6 mi
277118a
Durham, NC · 6 mi
277158a
Durham, NC · 6 mi

All 15 ZIP codes in Durham → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27708

What planting zone is ZIP code 27708?

ZIP code 27708 (Durham, 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 Durham, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27708 is April 2; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durham station.

When is the first frost in Durham, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27708 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27708?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27708 get?

About 50 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Durham 1.2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Durham, NC?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27708 have?

The USDA soil survey maps White Store at the center of ZIP 27708: sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Durham, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27708 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Durham, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27708 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27708 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27708 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.