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

Planting zone for 27965 — Poplar Branch, NC

ZIP code 27965 (Poplar Branch, Currituck County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 27965 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 28
First frostNov 12
2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Poplar Branch, 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 Poplar Branch, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Elizabeth City Cgas, NC — 14 miles away, 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 27965

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
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 28) 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 27965 came on Feb 23 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

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 8b in North Carolina

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 141

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 196

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 179

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 Poplar Branch, NC.

Soil in Poplar Branch, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27965 is Dorovan — mucky peat, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer
pH3.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter50%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dorovan mucky peat.

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 27965; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Poplar Branch, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights50nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,030base 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
Precipitation46.5 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 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 41 °F 61°41° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 58 °F 78°58° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 67 °F 85°67° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 71 °F 88°71° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 70 °F 87°70° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 65 °F 82°65° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 42 °F 63°42° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 MarApril: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 5.65 in precipitation 5.7 JulAugust: 5.32 in precipitation 5.3 AugSeptember: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 2.97 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elizabeth City Cgas, NC (14 mi away); precipitation: Elizabeth City Cgas, NC (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

279168b
Aydlett, NC · 3 mi
279748b
Shiloh, NC · 5 mi
279398b
Grandy, NC · 5 mi
279238b
Coinjock, NC · 5 mi
279278b
Corolla, NC · 5 mi
279178b
Barco, NC · 6 mi
279568b
Maple, NC · 8 mi
279738b
Shawboro, NC · 9 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27965

What planting zone is ZIP code 27965?

ZIP code 27965 (Poplar Branch, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Poplar Branch, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27965 is March 28; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabeth City Cgas station.

When is the first frost in Poplar Branch, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27965 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27965?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27965 get?

About 46.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabeth City Cgas station).

How hot do summers get in Poplar Branch, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27965 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dorovan at the center of ZIP 27965: mucky peat, very poorly drained, pH about 3.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Poplar Branch, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27965 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Poplar Branch, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27965 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 27965 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 27965 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.