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

Planting zone for 28167 — Union Mills, NC

ZIP code 28167 (Union Mills, Rutherford County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 28167 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 5

First frostNov 1

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 Union Mills, 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 Union Mills, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station Marion, NC — 12 miles away, elevation 1,411 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 28167

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 28167 came on Feb 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

average
Feb 202026
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 Union Mills, NC.

Soil in Union Mills, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28167 is Chewacla — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

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 28167; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Union Mills, NC

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,104base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 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

Precipitation56.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall7 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: Marion, NC (12 mi away); precipitation: Marion, NC (12 mi away). 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.

Rutherfordton, NC · 11 mi

287468a

Lake Lure, NC · 12 mi

287617b

Nebo, NC · 13 mi

280408a

Ellenboro, NC · 14 mi

280438a

Forest City, NC · 14 mi

287527b

Marion, NC · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28167

What planting zone is ZIP code 28167?

ZIP code 28167 (Union Mills, 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 Union Mills, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28167 is April 5; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marion station.

When is the first frost in Union Mills, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28167 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28167?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28167 get?

About 56.6 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marion station).

How hot do summers get in Union Mills, NC?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28167 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chewacla at the center of ZIP 28167: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Union Mills, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28167 came on Feb 21 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 Union Mills, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28167 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.