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

Planting zone for 27892 — Williamston, NC

ZIP code 27892 (Williamston, Martin County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 27892 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 20

First frostNov 12

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 Williamston, 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 Williamston, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Williamston 1 E, NC — 3 miles away, elevation 20 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 27892

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 27892 came on Feb 22 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
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 Williamston, NC.

Soil in Williamston, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27892 is Foreston — loamy fine sand, moderately well drained.

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

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Foreston loamy fine sand.

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 27892; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Williamston, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights53nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,048base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 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

Precipitation53.2 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: Williamston 1 E, NC (3 mi away); precipitation: Williamston 1 E, NC (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

278258a

Everetts, NC · 6 mi

278468a

Jamesville, NC · 10 mi

278718a

Robersonville, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27892

What planting zone is ZIP code 27892?

ZIP code 27892 (Williamston, 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 Williamston, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27892 is March 20; after April 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamston 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Williamston, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27892 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27892?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27892 get?

About 53.2 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamston 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Williamston, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27892 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Foreston at the center of ZIP 27892: loamy fine sand, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Williamston, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27892 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Williamston, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27892 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.