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

Planting zone for 27954 — Manteo, NC

ZIP code 27954 (Manteo, Dare County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 27954 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 15

First frostDec 6

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Manteo, 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 Manteo, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 19

Growing season266 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Manteo Airport, NC — within 1 mile, elevation 13 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 27954

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 15) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 27954 came on Feb 21 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
Feb 21

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 9a in North Carolina

643 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Manteo, NC.

Soil in Manteo, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27954 is Leon — fine sand, poorly drained.

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

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

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Leon fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded.

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 27954; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Manteo, NC

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights28nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,991base 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

Precipitation46.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Manteo Airport, NC (within 1 mile); precipitation: Manteo Airport, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Kill Devil Hills, NC · 7 mi

279538b

Manns Harbor, NC · 13 mi

279499a

Kitty Hawk, NC · 14 mi

279419a

Harbinger, NC · 15 mi

279649a

Point Harbor, NC · 16 mi

279669a

Powells Point, NC · 17 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27954

What planting zone is ZIP code 27954?

ZIP code 27954 (Manteo, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Manteo, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27954 is March 15; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manteo Airport station.

When is the first frost in Manteo, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27954 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 266 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27954?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 18 – Feb 1 and set transplants outside around Mar 22 – Apr 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27954 get?

About 46.5 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manteo Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Manteo, NC?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27954 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leon at the center of ZIP 27954: fine sand, poorly drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Manteo, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27954 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Manteo, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27954 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27954 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27954 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.