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

Planting zone for 27845 — Jackson, NC

ZIP code 27845 (Jackson, Northampton County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 27845 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 5

First frostNov 1

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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Jackson, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 125 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 27845

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 27845 came on Mar 1 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

average
Feb 202026
Mar 1

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 Jackson, NC.

Soil in Jackson, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27845 is Bethera — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Bethera silt loam, 0 to 1 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 27845; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jackson, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,479base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 39 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

Precipitation50.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall5 inper year; 6 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: Jackson, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Jackson, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Garysburg, NC · 10 mi

278878a

Tillery, NC · 10 mi

278698a

Rich Square, NC · 10 mi

278668a

Pleasant Hill, NC · 11 mi

278678a

Potecasi, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27845

What planting zone is ZIP code 27845?

ZIP code 27845 (Jackson, 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 Jackson, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27845 is April 5; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jackson station.

When is the first frost in Jackson, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27845 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 211 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27845?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27845 get?

About 50.9 inches of precipitation a year and 5 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jackson station).

How hot do summers get in Jackson, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27845 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bethera at the center of ZIP 27845: loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Jackson, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27845 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jackson, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27845 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27845 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27845 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.