Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 27960 — Ocracoke, NC

ZIP code 27960 (Ocracoke, Hyde County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost December 20.

Where ZIP 27960 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 1

First frostDec 20

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 Ocracoke, 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 Ocracoke, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 29

Growing season293 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 8 and returns around January 5.

From the NOAA station Ocracoke, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 3 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 27960

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 25 – Nov 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 6 – Jan 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Dec 20) 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 27960 came on Feb 18 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Feb 18

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 Ocracoke, NC.

Soil in Ocracoke, NC

The center of ZIP 27960 is mapped as Beaches: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 27960; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ocracoke, NC

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights18nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,330base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation58.3 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: Ocracoke, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Ocracoke, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Cedar Island, NC · 27 mi

278858b

Swanquarter, NC · 28 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27960

What planting zone is ZIP code 27960?

ZIP code 27960 (Ocracoke, 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 Ocracoke, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27960 is March 1; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ocracoke station.

When is the first frost in Ocracoke, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27960 is December 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 293 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27960?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 4 – Jan 18 and set transplants outside around Mar 8 – Mar 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27960 get?

About 58.3 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ocracoke station).

How hot do summers get in Ocracoke, NC?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Ocracoke, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27960 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ocracoke, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27960 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27960 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27960 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.