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

Planting zone for 28449 — Kure Beach, NC

ZIP code 28449 (Kure Beach, New Hanover 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 17.

Where ZIP 28449 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 17
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 Kure Beach, 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 Kure Beach, 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 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Southport 5 N, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 20 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 28449

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 22 – Oct 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 28449 came on Feb 18 — 14 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

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.

Trees 92

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 141

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 196

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 179

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Kure Beach, NC.

Soil in Kure Beach, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28449 is Newhan — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Newhan fine sand.

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 28449; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kure Beach, NC

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days46days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights51nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,948base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation54.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 73 °F 92°73° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 71 °F 90°71° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° NovDecember: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 JanFebruary: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 FebMarch: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 5.55 in precipitation 5.5 JulAugust: 6.77 in precipitation 6.8 AugSeptember: 8.16 in precipitation 8.2 SepOctober: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 OctNovember: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Southport 5 N, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: Southport 5 N, NC (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

284288b
Carolina Beach, NC · 5 mi
284618b
Southport, NC · 7 mi
284068b
Wilmington, NC · 9 mi
284078b
Wilmington, NC · 9 mi
284108b
Wilmington, NC · 9 mi
284798b
Winnabow, NC · 10 mi
284658b
Oak Island, NC · 10 mi
284128b
Wilmington, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28449

What planting zone is ZIP code 28449?

ZIP code 28449 (Kure Beach, 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 Kure Beach, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28449 is March 24; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Southport 5 N station.

When is the first frost in Kure Beach, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28449 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28449?

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 28449 get?

About 54.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Southport 5 N station).

How hot do summers get in Kure Beach, NC?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 46 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28449 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Newhan at the center of ZIP 28449: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Kure Beach, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28449 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 14 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kure Beach, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28449 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28449 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28449 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.