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

Planting zone for 28552 — Lowland, NC

ZIP code 28552 (Lowland, Pamlico County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 28552 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 8

First frostDec 5

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 Lowland, 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 Lowland, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 16

Growing season272 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 19 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Aurora 6 N, NC — 14 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 28552

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 10 – Oct 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 21 – Dec 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Dec 5) 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 28552 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 Lowland, NC.

Soil in Lowland, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28552 is Brookman — mucky silt loam, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter15%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brookman mucky 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 28552; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lowland, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights30nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,534base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation56.8 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: Aurora 6 N, NC (14 mi away); precipitation: Lowland 0.2 Se, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

285378b

Hobucken, NC · 3 mi

285878b

Vandemere, NC · 10 mi

Stonewall, NC · 15 mi

278088b

Bath, NC · 16 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28552

What planting zone is ZIP code 28552?

ZIP code 28552 (Lowland, 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 Lowland, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28552 is March 8; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aurora 6 N station.

When is the first frost in Lowland, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28552 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 272 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28552?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 11 – Jan 25 and set transplants outside around Mar 15 – Mar 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28552 get?

About 56.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lowland 0.2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Lowland, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28552 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brookman at the center of ZIP 28552: mucky silt loam, very poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lowland, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28552 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 Lowland, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28552 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28552 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28552 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.