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

Planting zone for 28137 — Richfield, NC

ZIP code 28137 (Richfield, Stanly County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 28137 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 frostMar 29

First frostNov 4

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 Richfield, 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 Richfield, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season220 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 16 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Albemarle, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 610 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 28137

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 28137 came on Feb 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

average
Feb 202026
Feb 22

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 Richfield, NC.

Soil in Richfield, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28137 is Badin — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Badin channery silt loam, 2 to 8 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 28137; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richfield, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,762base 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

Precipitation46.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Albemarle, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Richfield 0.2 Ssw, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

281098a

Misenheimer, NC · 1 mi

280718a

Gold Hill, NC · 3 mi

281278a

New London, NC · 6 mi

281387b

Rockwell, NC · 10 mi

281248a

Mount Pleasant, NC · 10 mi

280028a

Albemarle, NC · 10 mi

280098a

Badin, NC · 11 mi

280018a

Albemarle, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28137

What planting zone is ZIP code 28137?

ZIP code 28137 (Richfield, 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 Richfield, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28137 is March 29; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Albemarle station.

When is the first frost in Richfield, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28137 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 220 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28137?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28137 get?

About 46.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richfield 0.2 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Richfield, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28137 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Badin at the center of ZIP 28137: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Richfield, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28137 came on Feb 22 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richfield, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28137 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28137 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28137 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.