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

Planting zone for 27881 — Speed, NC

ZIP code 27881 (Speed, Edgecombe County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 27881 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 30

First frostNov 9

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 Speed, 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 Speed, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season226 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Tarboro 1 S, NC — 8 miles away, elevation 36 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 27881

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 27881 came on Feb 24 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17).

average
Feb 172026
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 Speed, NC.

Soil in Speed, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27881 is Norfolk — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Norfolk loamy sand, 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 27881; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Speed, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights70nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,836base 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

Precipitation47.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall5 inper year; 2 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: Tarboro 1 S, NC (8 mi away); precipitation: Tarboro 1 S, NC (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Scotland Neck, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27881

What planting zone is ZIP code 27881?

ZIP code 27881 (Speed, 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 Speed, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27881 is March 30; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tarboro 1 S station.

When is the first frost in Speed, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27881 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 226 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27881?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 2 – Feb 16 and set transplants outside around Apr 6 – Apr 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27881 get?

About 47.6 inches of precipitation a year and 5 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tarboro 1 S station).

How hot do summers get in Speed, 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 27881 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Norfolk at the center of ZIP 27881: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Speed, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27881 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Speed, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27881 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27881 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27881 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.