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

Planting zone for 27809 — Battleboro, NC

ZIP code 27809 (Battleboro, Edgecombe County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 27809 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 31

First frostNov 7

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 Battleboro, 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 Battleboro, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season223 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 18 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC — 9 miles away, elevation 112 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 27809

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 27809 came on Feb 24 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
Feb 24

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 Battleboro, NC.

Soil in Battleboro, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27809 is Aycock — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Aycock very fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 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 27809; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Battleboro, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights70nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,676base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 36 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

Precipitation45.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rocky Mt 8 Ese, NC (9 mi away); precipitation: Rocky Mt, NC (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

278918a

Whitakers, NC · 6 mi

278048a

Rocky Mount, NC · 6 mi

278028a

Rocky Mount, NC · 6 mi

278158a

Rocky Mount, NC · 7 mi

278018a

Rocky Mount, NC · 7 mi

278688a

Red Oak, NC · 10 mi

278038a

Rocky Mount, NC · 11 mi

278788a

Sharpsburg, NC · 12 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27809

What planting zone is ZIP code 27809?

ZIP code 27809 (Battleboro, 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 Battleboro, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27809 is March 31; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rocky Mt 8 Ese station.

When is the first frost in Battleboro, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27809 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 223 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27809?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27809 get?

About 45.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rocky Mt station).

How hot do summers get in Battleboro, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27809 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aycock at the center of ZIP 27809: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Battleboro, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27809 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Battleboro, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27809 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27809 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27809 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.