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

Planting zone for 28435 — Currie, NC

ZIP code 28435 (Currie, Pender County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 28435 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 27

First frostNov 8

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 Currie, 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 Currie, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season227 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Moores Creek Nb, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 23 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 28435

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 28435 came on Feb 20 — 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Feb 20

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 Currie, NC.

Soil in Currie, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28435 is Pactolus — fine sand, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pactolus fine sand, 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 28435; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Currie, NC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days70days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,379base 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

Precipitation63.5 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: Moores Creek Nb, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: Wilmington 7 N, 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.

284218b

Atkinson, NC · 8 mi

284568b

Riegelwood, NC · 10 mi

284018b

Wilmington, NC · 11 mi

284518b

Leland, NC · 12 mi

284028b

Wilmington, NC · 13 mi

284298b

Castle Hayne, NC · 13 mi

284578a

Rocky Point, NC · 14 mi

284368b

Delco, NC · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28435

What planting zone is ZIP code 28435?

ZIP code 28435 (Currie, 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 Currie, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28435 is March 27; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moores Creek Nb station.

When is the first frost in Currie, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28435 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 227 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28435?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 30 – Feb 13 and set transplants outside around Apr 3 – Apr 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28435 get?

About 63.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wilmington 7 N station).

How hot do summers get in Currie, NC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 70 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28435 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pactolus at the center of ZIP 28435: fine sand, moderately well drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Currie, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28435 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Currie, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28435 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28435 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28435 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.