Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 28378 — Rex, NC

ZIP code 28378 (Rex, Robeson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 28378 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 frostApr 3

First frostNov 3

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 Rex, 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 Rex, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season214 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Raeford, NC — 13 miles away, elevation 249 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 28378

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

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 (Apr 3) 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 28378 came on Feb 19 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

average
Feb 122026
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 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 Rex, NC.

Soil in Rex, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28378 is Rains — sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Rains sandy loam, 0 to 2 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 28378; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rex, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days54days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights82nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,813base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.4 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: Raeford, NC (13 mi away); precipitation: Red Springs 1 Se, 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.

283578a

Lumber Bridge, NC · 4 mi

Saint Pauls, NC · 8 mi

283488b

Hope Mills, NC · 8 mi

283778a

Red Springs, NC · 9 mi

283068b

Fayetteville, NC · 11 mi

283048b

Fayetteville, NC · 12 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28378

What planting zone is ZIP code 28378?

ZIP code 28378 (Rex, 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 Rex, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28378 is April 3; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Raeford station.

When is the first frost in Rex, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28378 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 214 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28378?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28378 get?

About 48.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Red Springs 1 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Rex, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 54 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28378 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rains at the center of ZIP 28378: sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rex, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28378 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rex, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28378 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28378 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28378 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.