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

Planting zone for 27824 — Engelhard, NC

ZIP code 27824 (Engelhard, Hyde County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 27824 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 29

First frostNov 13

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Engelhard, 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 Engelhard, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 30.

From the NOAA station Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC — 13 miles away, elevation 10 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 27824

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 27824 came on Feb 20 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

average
Feb 112026
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 8b in North Carolina

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Engelhard, NC.

Soil in Engelhard, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27824 is Ponzer — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

pH3.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter50%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ponzer muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded.

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 27824; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Engelhard, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, February

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,853base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.3 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: Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC (13 mi away); precipitation: Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

278268b

Fairfield, NC · 14 mi

279788b

Stumpy Point, NC · 15 mi

278858b

Swanquarter, NC · 16 mi

279538b

Manns Harbor, NC · 19 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27824

What planting zone is ZIP code 27824?

ZIP code 27824 (Engelhard, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Engelhard, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27824 is March 29; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbia Ag Gum Neck station.

When is the first frost in Engelhard, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27824 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27824?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27824 get?

About 55.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbia Ag Gum Neck station).

How hot do summers get in Engelhard, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27824 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ponzer at the center of ZIP 27824: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 3.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Engelhard, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27824 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Engelhard, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27824 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27824 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27824 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.