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

Planting zone for 28145 — Salisbury, NC

ZIP code 28145 (Salisbury, Rowan County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 28145 is

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 6

First frostOct 30

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 Salisbury, 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 Salisbury, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Salisbury, NC — within 1 mile, elevation 699 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 28145

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 28145 came on Feb 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

average
Feb 232026
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 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 Salisbury, NC.

Soil in Salisbury, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28145 is Chewacla — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 28145; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Salisbury, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,528base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 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: Salisbury, NC (within 1 mile); precipitation: Salisbury, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

280398a

East Spencer, NC · 2 mi

Granite Quarry, NC · 5 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Salisbury → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28145

What planting zone is ZIP code 28145?

ZIP code 28145 (Salisbury, 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 Salisbury, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28145 is April 6; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salisbury station.

When is the first frost in Salisbury, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28145 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28145?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28145 get?

About 43.7 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salisbury station).

How hot do summers get in Salisbury, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28145 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chewacla at the center of ZIP 28145: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Salisbury, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28145 came on Feb 22 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Salisbury, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28145 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.