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

Planting zone for 27865 — Pinetown, NC

ZIP code 27865 (Pinetown, Beaufort County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 27865 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 22

First frostNov 15

2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Pinetown, 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 Pinetown, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Washington Wwtp 4w, NC — 12 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 27865

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 27865 came on Feb 22 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

average
Feb 132026
Feb 22

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 Pinetown, NC.

Soil in Pinetown, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27865 is Rains — fine sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Rains fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Atlantic Coast Flatwoods.

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 27865; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pinetown, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,166base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 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: Washington Wwtp 4w, NC (12 mi away); precipitation: Washington Wwtp 4w, NC (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

278468a

Jamesville, NC · 7 mi

278898b

Washington, NC · 9 mi

279628a

Plymouth, NC · 10 mi

278928a

Williamston, NC · 14 mi

Chocowinity, NC · 18 mi

278258a

Everetts, NC · 19 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27865

What planting zone is ZIP code 27865?

ZIP code 27865 (Pinetown, 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 Pinetown, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27865 is March 22; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Washington Wwtp 4w station.

When is the first frost in Pinetown, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27865 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27865?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27865 get?

About 53 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Washington Wwtp 4w station).

How hot do summers get in Pinetown, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27865 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rains at the center of ZIP 27865: fine sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pinetown, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27865 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pinetown, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27865 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.