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

Planting zone for 28512 — Atlantic Beach, NC

ZIP code 28512 (Atlantic Beach, Carteret County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 28512 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 3

First frostDec 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 Atlantic 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 Atlantic Beach, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 25

Growing season286 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 17 and returns around December 31.

From the NOAA station Atlantic Beach Wtp, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 3 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 28512

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Dec 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 28512 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 Atlantic Beach, NC.

Soil in Atlantic Beach, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28512 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-Corolla complex, 0 to 30 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 28512; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Atlantic Beach, NC

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights27nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,654base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation58.2 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: Atlantic Beach Wtp, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: Pine Knoll Shores 1.4 E, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

285578b

Morehead City, NC · 4 mi

285708b

Newport, NC · 7 mi

285948b

Emerald Isle, NC · 10 mi

285319a

Harkers Island, NC · 14 mi

285328b

Havelock, NC · 15 mi

285338b

Cherry Point, NC · 15 mi

285168b

Beaufort, NC · 15 mi

285289a

Gloucester, NC · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28512

What planting zone is ZIP code 28512?

ZIP code 28512 (Atlantic 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 Atlantic Beach, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28512 is March 3; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atlantic Beach Wtp station.

When is the first frost in Atlantic Beach, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28512 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 286 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28512?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 6 – Jan 20 and set transplants outside around Mar 10 – Mar 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28512 get?

About 58.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pine Knoll Shores 1.4 E station).

How hot do summers get in Atlantic Beach, NC?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28512 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Newhan at the center of ZIP 28512: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 28512 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 Atlantic Beach, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28512 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28512 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28512 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.