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

Planting zone for 27957 — Merry Hill, NC

ZIP code 27957 (Merry Hill, Bertie County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 27957 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 24

First frostNov 14

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 Merry Hill, 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 Merry Hill, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Edenton, NC — 12 miles away, elevation 10 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 27957

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 27957 came on Feb 24 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
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 Merry Hill, NC.

Soil in Merry Hill, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27957 is Leaf — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Leaf loam.

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 27957; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Merry Hill, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,184base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation51 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Edenton, NC (12 mi away); precipitation: Edenton, NC (12 mi away). 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.

Powellsville, NC · 14 mi

279808a

Tyner, NC · 15 mi

279428a

Harrellsville, NC · 16 mi

279228a

Cofield, NC · 18 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27957

What planting zone is ZIP code 27957?

ZIP code 27957 (Merry Hill, 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 Merry Hill, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27957 is March 24; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Edenton station.

When is the first frost in Merry Hill, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27957 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27957?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27957 get?

About 51 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Edenton station).

How hot do summers get in Merry Hill, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27957 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leaf at the center of ZIP 27957: loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Merry Hill, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27957 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 Merry Hill, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27957 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.