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

Planting zone for 28018 — Bostic, NC

ZIP code 28018 (Bostic, Rutherford County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 28018 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 11

First frostOct 27

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bostic, 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 Bostic, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Forest City 8 W, NC — 16 miles away, elevation 850 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 28018

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 28018 came on Feb 21 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
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 7b in North Carolina

596 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Bostic, NC.

Soil in Bostic, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28018 is Evard — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Evard-Cowee complex, escarpment, 30 to 50 percent slopes, stony.

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 28018; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bostic, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights99nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,333base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 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: Forest City 8 W, NC (16 mi away); precipitation: Casar, NC (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

280408a

Ellenboro, NC · 7 mi

281677b

Union Mills, NC · 9 mi

280208a

Casar, NC · 9 mi

281368a

Polkville, NC · 10 mi

281608a

Spindale, NC · 11 mi

280438a

Forest City, NC · 13 mi

280908a

Lawndale, NC · 14 mi

280898a

Lattimore, NC · 14 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28018

What planting zone is ZIP code 28018?

ZIP code 28018 (Bostic, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Bostic, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28018 is April 11; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Forest City 8 W station.

When is the first frost in Bostic, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28018 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28018?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28018 get?

About 50 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Casar station).

How hot do summers get in Bostic, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 45 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28018 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Evard at the center of ZIP 28018: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bostic, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28018 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bostic, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28018 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.