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

Planting zone for 28454 — Maple Hill, NC

ZIP code 28454 (Maple Hill, Pender County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 28454 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 23

First frostNov 16

2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Maple Hill, 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 Maple Hill, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season240 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station New River Mcaf, NC — 16 miles away, elevation 26 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 28454

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 23) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 28454 came on Feb 20 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
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 8a in North Carolina

619 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Maple Hill, NC.

Soil in Maple Hill, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28454 is Leon — fine sand, poorly drained.

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

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Leon 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 28454; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Maple Hill, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights43nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,591base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation56.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New River Mcaf, NC (16 mi away); precipitation: New River Mcaf, NC (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

285408a

Jacksonville, NC · 10 mi

285218a

Chinquapin, NC · 11 mi

285428b

Camp Lejeune, NC · 12 mi

284458b

Holly Ridge, NC · 12 mi

284438b

Hampstead, NC · 13 mi

284668a

Wallace, NC · 14 mi

285748a

Richlands, NC · 15 mi

285418b

Jacksonville, NC · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28454

What planting zone is ZIP code 28454?

ZIP code 28454 (Maple Hill, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Maple Hill, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28454 is March 23; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New River Mcaf station.

When is the first frost in Maple Hill, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28454 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 240 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28454?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 26 – Feb 9 and set transplants outside around Mar 30 – Apr 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28454 get?

About 56.5 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New River Mcaf station).

How hot do summers get in Maple Hill, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28454 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leon at the center of ZIP 28454: fine sand, poorly drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Maple Hill, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28454 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Maple Hill, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28454 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.