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

Planting zone for 27893 — Wilson, NC

ZIP code 27893 (Wilson, Wilson 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 12.

Where ZIP 27893 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 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 Wilson, 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 Wilson, 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 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season236 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Wilson 3 Sw, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 112 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 27893

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 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 22) 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 27893 came on Feb 22 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

average
Feb 152026
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 Wilson, NC.

Soil in Wilson, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27893 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 matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rains-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 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 27893; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wilson, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days51days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights60nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,108base 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

Precipitation50.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 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: Wilson 3 Sw, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Wilson 3 Sw, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Black Creek, NC · 4 mi

Stantonsburg, NC · 9 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Wilson → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27893

What planting zone is ZIP code 27893?

ZIP code 27893 (Wilson, 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 Wilson, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27893 is March 22; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wilson 3 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Wilson, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27893 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 236 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27893?

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 27893 get?

About 50.3 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wilson 3 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Wilson, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 51 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27893 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rains at the center of ZIP 27893: fine sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wilson, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27893 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wilson, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27893 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.