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

Planting zone for 28430 — Cerro Gordo, NC

ZIP code 28430 (Cerro Gordo, Columbus County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 28430 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 1

First frostNov 5

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 Cerro Gordo, 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 Cerro Gordo, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season219 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 19 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Lumber Rvr Sp, NC — 8 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 28430

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 28430 came on Feb 18 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Feb 18

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 Cerro Gordo, NC.

Soil in Cerro Gordo, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28430 is Lynchburg — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.75%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Lynchburg fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, Southern Coastal Plain.

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 28430; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cerro Gordo, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days51days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights64nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,064base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.4 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: Lumber Rvr Sp, NC (8 mi away); precipitation: Lumber Rvr Sp, NC (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

284398b

Fair Bluff, NC · 4 mi

Barnesville, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28430

What planting zone is ZIP code 28430?

ZIP code 28430 (Cerro Gordo, 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 Cerro Gordo, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28430 is April 1; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lumber Rvr Sp station.

When is the first frost in Cerro Gordo, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28430 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 219 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28430?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28430 get?

About 51.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lumber Rvr Sp station).

How hot do summers get in Cerro Gordo, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 51 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28430 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lynchburg at the center of ZIP 28430: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cerro Gordo, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28430 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cerro Gordo, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28430 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28430 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28430 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.