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

Planting zone for 28431 — Chadbourn, NC

ZIP code 28431 (Chadbourn, Columbus County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 28431 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 29

First frostNov 6

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 Chadbourn, 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 Chadbourn, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season224 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Whiteville 7 Nw, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 89 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 28431

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 29) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 28431 came on Feb 18 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
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 Chadbourn, NC.

Soil in Chadbourn, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28431 is Goldsboro — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

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

pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Goldsboro fine 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 28431; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chadbourn, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days63days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,114base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation50.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Whiteville 7 Nw, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Whiteville 7 Nw, NC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

284308b

Cerro Gordo, NC · 6 mi

Whiteville, NC · 9 mi

284398b

Fair Bluff, NC · 9 mi

284328b

Clarendon, NC · 11 mi

295458b

Green Sea, SC · 13 mi

283698b

Orrum, NC · 13 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28431

What planting zone is ZIP code 28431?

ZIP code 28431 (Chadbourn, 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 Chadbourn, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28431 is March 29; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whiteville 7 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Chadbourn, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28431 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 224 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28431?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28431 get?

About 50.9 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whiteville 7 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Chadbourn, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 63 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28431 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goldsboro at the center of ZIP 28431: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chadbourn, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28431 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chadbourn, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28431 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28431 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28431 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.