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

Planting zone for 28139 — Rutherfordton, NC

ZIP code 28139 (Rutherfordton, Rutherford County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 28139 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 11

First frostOct 27

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 Rutherfordton, 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 Rutherfordton, 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 — 2 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 28139

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 28139 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 Rutherfordton, NC.

Soil in Rutherfordton, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28139 is Madison — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Madison clay loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 28139; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rutherfordton, 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 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.1 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: Forest City 8 W, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Forest City 8 W, 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.

281608a

Spindale, NC · 4 mi

280438a

Forest City, NC · 7 mi

Union Mills, NC · 11 mi

287828a

Tryon, NC · 12 mi

287568a

Mill Spring, NC · 12 mi

280198a

Caroleen, NC · 12 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28139

What planting zone is ZIP code 28139?

ZIP code 28139 (Rutherfordton, 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 Rutherfordton, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28139 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 Rutherfordton, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28139 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28139?

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 28139 get?

About 52.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Forest City 8 W station).

How hot do summers get in Rutherfordton, 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 28139 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Madison at the center of ZIP 28139: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Rutherfordton, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28139 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 Rutherfordton, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28139 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28139 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28139 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.