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

Planting zone for 28170 — Wadesboro, NC

ZIP code 28170 (Wadesboro, Anson County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 28170 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 24

First frostNov 9

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wadesboro, 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 Wadesboro, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Wadesboro, NC — 3 miles away, elevation 479 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 28170

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 28170 came on Feb 20 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

average
Feb 132026
Feb 20

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 Wadesboro, NC.

Soil in Wadesboro, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28170 is Polkton — sandy clay loam, moderately well drained.

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

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.6%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Polkton-White Store complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes, severely 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 28170; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wadesboro, NC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,140base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 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: Wadesboro, NC (3 mi away); precipitation: Wadesboro, NC (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

281358a

Polkton, NC · 7 mi

280078a

Ansonville, NC · 9 mi

280918a

Lilesville, NC · 9 mi

281198a

Morven, NC · 12 mi

281338a

Peachland, NC · 14 mi

281038a

Marshville, NC · 14 mi

281028a

Mc Farlan, NC · 14 mi

281288a

Norwood, NC · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28170

What planting zone is ZIP code 28170?

ZIP code 28170 (Wadesboro, 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 Wadesboro, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28170 is March 24; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wadesboro station.

When is the first frost in Wadesboro, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28170 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28170?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28170 get?

About 47.8 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wadesboro station).

How hot do summers get in Wadesboro, NC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28170 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Polkton at the center of ZIP 28170: sandy clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wadesboro, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28170 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wadesboro, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28170 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.