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

Planting zone for 28443 — Hampstead, NC

ZIP code 28443 (Hampstead, Pender County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 28443 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 26

First frostNov 13

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 Hampstead, 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 Hampstead, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Surf City, NC — 7 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 28443

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 28443 came on Feb 20 — 12 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
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 Hampstead, NC.

Soil in Hampstead, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28443 is Croatan — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

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

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter42.5%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Croatan muck, ponded, 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 28443; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hampstead, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights61nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,168base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 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

Precipitation60.6 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: Surf City, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Topsail Beach 2.1 W, 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.

284458b

Holly Ridge, NC · 10 mi

284578a

Rocky Point, NC · 10 mi

284258a

Burgaw, NC · 13 mi

284548a

Maple Hill, NC · 13 mi

284118b

Wilmington, NC · 14 mi

284298b

Castle Hayne, NC · 15 mi

284028b

Wilmington, NC · 15 mi

284608b

Sneads Ferry, NC · 16 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28443

What planting zone is ZIP code 28443?

ZIP code 28443 (Hampstead, 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 Hampstead, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28443 is March 26; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Surf City station.

When is the first frost in Hampstead, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28443 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28443?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28443 get?

About 60.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Topsail Beach 2.1 W station).

How hot do summers get in Hampstead, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28443 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Croatan at the center of ZIP 28443: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hampstead, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28443 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 12 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hampstead, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28443 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28443 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28443 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.