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

Planting zone for 28207 — Charlotte, NC

ZIP code 28207 (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 28207 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 30
First frostNov 3
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 Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Charlotte Douglas Airport, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 728 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 28207

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 28207 came on Feb 19 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

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).

Soil in Charlotte, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28207 is Cecil — 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 matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil-Urban land complex, 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 28207; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Charlotte, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days49days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,035base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation43.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F 90°70° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Charlotte Douglas Airport, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Charlotte 3.9 Wnw, NC (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

282748a
Charlotte, NC · <1 mi
282048a
Charlotte, NC · 1 mi
282718a
Charlotte, NC · 2 mi
282098a
Charlotte, NC · 2 mi
282038a
Charlotte, NC · 2 mi
282448a
Charlotte, NC · 2 mi
282828a
Charlotte, NC · 2 mi
282808a
Charlotte, NC · 2 mi

All 73 ZIP codes in Charlotte → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28207

What planting zone is ZIP code 28207?

ZIP code 28207 (Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28207 is March 30; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Charlotte Douglas Airport station.

When is the first frost in Charlotte, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28207 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28207?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 2 – Feb 16 and set transplants outside around Apr 6 – Apr 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28207 get?

About 43.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Charlotte 3.9 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Charlotte, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 49 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28207 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 28207: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Charlotte, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28207 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Charlotte, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28207 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.