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

Planting zone for 27909 — Elizabeth City, NC

ZIP code 27909 (Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 27909 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 27
First frostNov 17
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 Elizabeth City, 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 Elizabeth City, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 12 and returns around December 2.

From the NOAA station Elizabeth City, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 7 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 27909

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 27909 came on Feb 24 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

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.

Trees 92

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 136

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 191

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 173

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Elizabeth City, NC.

Soil in Elizabeth City, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27909 is Munden — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Munden fine sandy loam, 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 27909; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elizabeth City, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,255base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 38 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
Precipitation51.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 53 °F, low 34 °F 53°34° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 68 °F 86°68° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 73 °F 89°73° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 71 °F 87°71° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 66 °F 82°66° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 55 °F 74°55° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 38 °F 56°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.64 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.6 JanFebruary: 3.29 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.3 FebMarch: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 5.93 in precipitation 5.9 JulAugust: 5.91 in precipitation 5.9 AugSeptember: 5.32 in precipitation 5.3 SepOctober: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elizabeth City, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: Elizabeth City, NC (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

279078a
Elizabeth City, NC · <1 mi
279068a
Elizabeth City, NC · 3 mi
279218a
Camden, NC · 7 mi
279448a
Hertford, NC · 11 mi
279858a
Winfall, NC · 12 mi
279308b
Hertford, NC · 13 mi
279738b
Shawboro, NC · 13 mi
279198a
Belvidere, NC · 13 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Elizabeth City → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27909

What planting zone is ZIP code 27909?

ZIP code 27909 (Elizabeth City, 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 Elizabeth City, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27909 is March 27; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabeth City station.

When is the first frost in Elizabeth City, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27909 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27909?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 30 – Feb 13 and set transplants outside around Apr 3 – Apr 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27909 get?

About 51.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabeth City station).

How hot do summers get in Elizabeth City, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27909 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Munden at the center of ZIP 27909: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elizabeth City, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27909 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elizabeth City, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27909 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.