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

Planting zone for 28092 — Lincolnton, NC

ZIP code 28092 (Lincolnton, Lincoln County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 28092 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 9
First frostOct 28
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lincolnton, 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 Lincolnton, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Lincolnton 4 W, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 886 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 28092

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 28092 came on Feb 22 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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.

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 136

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 191

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 173

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 Lincolnton, NC.

Soil in Lincolnton, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28092 is Udorthents — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pits, quarry.

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 28092; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lincolnton, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights76nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,598base 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
Precipitation48.1 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 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 JanFebruary: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 AprMay: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lincolnton 4 W, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: Lincolnton 2 Nw, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

280938a
Lincolnton, NC · <1 mi
280778a
High Shoals, NC · 6 mi
280338a
Crouse, NC · 6 mi
286508a
Maiden, NC · 8 mi
280808a
Iron Station, NC · 8 mi
280348a
Dallas, NC · 10 mi
280218a
Cherryville, NC · 10 mi
280068a
Alexis, NC · 10 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Lincolnton → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28092

What planting zone is ZIP code 28092?

ZIP code 28092 (Lincolnton, 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 Lincolnton, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28092 is April 9; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lincolnton 4 W station.

When is the first frost in Lincolnton, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28092 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28092?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28092 get?

About 48.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lincolnton 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Lincolnton, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28092 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 28092: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lincolnton, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28092 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lincolnton, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28092 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28092 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28092 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.