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

Planting zone for 27969 — Roduco, NC

ZIP code 27969 (Roduco, Gates County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 27969 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 frostApr 7

First frostNov 2

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 Roduco, 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 Roduco, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Holland 1 E, VA — 16 miles away, elevation 79 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 27969

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 27969 came on Feb 26 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18).

average
Feb 182026
Feb 26

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 Roduco, NC.

Soil in Roduco, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 27969 is Bladen — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bladen 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 27969; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Roduco, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights84nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,595base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 2 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: Holland 1 E, VA (16 mi away); precipitation: Holland 1 E, VA (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Gatesville, NC · 7 mi

Corapeake, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 27969

What planting zone is ZIP code 27969?

ZIP code 27969 (Roduco, 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 Roduco, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 27969 is April 7; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holland 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Roduco, NC?

The median first fall frost near 27969 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 27969?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 27969 get?

About 47.9 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holland 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Roduco, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 27969 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bladen at the center of ZIP 27969: loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Roduco, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 27969 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Roduco, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 27969 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.