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

Planting zone for 28311 — Fayetteville, NC

ZIP code 28311 (Fayetteville, Cumberland 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 10.

Where ZIP 28311 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 10

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 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 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season227 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 16 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Fayetteville (Pwc), NC — 7 miles away, elevation 95 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 28311

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 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 28311 came on Feb 19 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

average
Feb 132026
Feb 19

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 Fayetteville, NC.

Soil in Fayetteville, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28311 is Vaucluse — 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 groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vaucluse loamy sand, 8 to 15 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 28311; 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 low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights63nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,200base 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

Precipitation47.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fayetteville (Pwc), NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Ft Bragg Wtp, NC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

283908a

Spring Lake, NC · 5 mi

283078a

Fort Bragg, NC · 6 mi

283018b

Fayetteville, NC · 6 mi

283038a

Fayetteville, NC · 7 mi

283088a

Pope Army Airfield, NC · 7 mi

283568a

Linden, NC · 7 mi

283058b

Fayetteville, NC · 8 mi

283098b

Fayetteville, NC · 9 mi

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

Questions about 28311

What planting zone is ZIP code 28311?

ZIP code 28311 (Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28311 is March 30; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fayetteville (Pwc) station.

When is the first frost in Fayetteville, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28311 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 227 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28311?

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 28311 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Bragg Wtp station).

How hot do summers get in Fayetteville, NC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 53 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28311 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vaucluse at the center of ZIP 28311: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fayetteville, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28311 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 6 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 28311 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.