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

Planting zone for 28519 — Bridgeton, NC

ZIP code 28519 (Bridgeton, Craven County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 28519 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 23

First frostNov 15

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 Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, 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 15median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 12 and returns around November 28.

From the NOAA station New Bern Craven Co. Airport, 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 28519

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 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 23) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 28519 came on Feb 19 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
Feb 19

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 Bridgeton, NC.

Soil in Bridgeton, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28519 is Murville — mucky fine sand, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter12%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Murville mucky loamy 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 28519; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bridgeton, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,349base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 47 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: New Bern Craven Co. Airport, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: New Bern 1.3 Nne, NC (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Grantsboro, NC · 8 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28519

What planting zone is ZIP code 28519?

ZIP code 28519 (Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28519 is March 23; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Bern Craven Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Bridgeton, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28519 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28519?

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 28519 get?

About 57 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Bern 1.3 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Bridgeton, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 48 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28519 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Murville at the center of ZIP 28519: mucky fine sand, very poorly drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bridgeton, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28519 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bridgeton, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28519 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28519 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28519 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.