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

Planting zone for 28383 — Rowland, NC

ZIP code 28383 (Rowland, Robeson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 28383 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 24

First frostNov 10

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 Rowland, 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 Rowland, 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 10median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Lumberton Municipal Airport, NC — 12 miles away, elevation 121 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 28383

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 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 24) 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 28383 came on Feb 19 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
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 Rowland, NC.

Soil in Rowland, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28383 is Faceville — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Faceville fine sandy loam, 2 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 28383; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rowland, NC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days67days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights51nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,600base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation42.6 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: Lumberton Municipal Airport, NC (12 mi away); precipitation: Lumberton Municipal Airport, NC (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

295478b

Hamer, SC · 7 mi

295678b

Little Rock, SC · 9 mi

Lumberton, NC · 12 mi

295368b

Dillon, SC · 12 mi

283608b

Lumberton, NC · 13 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28383

What planting zone is ZIP code 28383?

ZIP code 28383 (Rowland, 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 Rowland, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28383 is March 24; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lumberton Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Rowland, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28383 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28383?

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 28383 get?

About 42.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lumberton Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Rowland, NC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 67 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28383 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Faceville at the center of ZIP 28383: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Rowland, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28383 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rowland, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28383 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28383 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28383 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.