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

Planting zone for 28465 — Oak Island, NC

ZIP code 28465 (Oak Island, Brunswick 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 28465 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 Oak Island, 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 Oak Island, 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 — 8 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 28465

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 28465 came on Feb 18 — 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
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 Oak Island, NC.

Soil in Oak Island, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28465 is Wando — fine sand, well drained.

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

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wando fine sand, 0 to 6 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 28465; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Oak Island, 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 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57 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: Southport 5 N, NC (8 mi away); precipitation: Oak Island 2.3 E, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

284618b

Southport, NC · 4 mi

284498b

Kure Beach, NC · 10 mi

Carolina Beach, NC · 14 mi

284708b

Shallotte, NC · 17 mi

284598b

Shallotte, NC · 18 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28465

What planting zone is ZIP code 28465?

ZIP code 28465 (Oak Island, 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 Oak Island, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28465 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 Oak Island, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28465 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28465?

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 28465 get?

About 57 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oak Island 2.3 E station).

How hot do summers get in Oak Island, 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 28465 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wando at the center of ZIP 28465: fine sand, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Oak Island, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28465 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 13 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Oak Island, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28465 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28465 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28465 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.