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

Planting zone for 28304 — Fayetteville, NC

ZIP code 28304 (Fayetteville, Cumberland County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 28304 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 22

First frostNov 13

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season236 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Fayetteville Regional Airport, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 187 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 28304

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 28304 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 8b in North Carolina

635 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Fayetteville, NC.

Soil in Fayetteville, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28304 is Wagram — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Wagram loamy sand, 0 to 6 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 28304; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fayetteville, NC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days71days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,512base 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

Precipitation46 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: Fayetteville Regional Airport, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Hope Mills 0.6 Ese, NC (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

283148a

Fayetteville, NC · 2 mi

283038a

Fayetteville, NC · 4 mi

283028b

Fayetteville, NC · 5 mi

283058b

Fayetteville, NC · 5 mi

283018b

Fayetteville, NC · 7 mi

283068b

Fayetteville, NC · 7 mi

283108a

Fort Bragg, NC · 7 mi

283078a

Fort Bragg, NC · 8 mi

All 10 ZIP codes in Fayetteville → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28304

What planting zone is ZIP code 28304?

ZIP code 28304 (Fayetteville, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Fayetteville, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28304 is March 22; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fayetteville Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Fayetteville, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28304 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 236 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28304?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28304 get?

About 46 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hope Mills 0.6 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Fayetteville, NC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 71 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28304 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wagram at the center of ZIP 28304: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fayetteville, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28304 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 Fayetteville, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28304 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28304 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28304 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.