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

Planting zone for 28527 — Ernul, NC

ZIP code 28527 (Ernul, Craven County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 28527 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 21
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 Ernul, 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 Ernul, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season242 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Reelsboro, NC — 11 miles away, elevation 46 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 28527

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
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 21) 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 28527 came on Feb 20 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

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 Ernul, NC.

Soil in Ernul, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28527 is Leaf — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Leaf silt loam.

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 28527; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ernul, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days57days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,468base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 32 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

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 71 °F 90°71° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 65 °F 84°65° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 39 °F 59°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 5.67 in precipitation 5.7 JunJuly: 6.62 in precipitation 6.6 JulAugust: 7.30 in precipitation 7.3 AugSeptember: 6.88 in precipitation 6.9 SepOctober: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Reelsboro, NC (11 mi away); precipitation: New Bern 1.3 Nne, NC (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

285198b
Bridgeton, NC · 9 mi
278218b
Edward, NC · 9 mi
285608b
New Bern, NC · 9 mi
278148b
Blounts Creek, NC · 10 mi
285868b
Vanceboro, NC · 10 mi
285638b
New Bern, NC · 11 mi
285648b
New Bern, NC · 11 mi
285618b
New Bern, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28527

What planting zone is ZIP code 28527?

ZIP code 28527 (Ernul, 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 Ernul, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28527 is March 21; after April 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Reelsboro station.

When is the first frost in Ernul, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28527 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 242 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28527?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28527 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Ernul, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 57 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28527 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leaf at the center of ZIP 28527: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ernul, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28527 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ernul, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28527 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28527 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28527 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.