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

Planting zone for 28557 — Morehead City, NC

ZIP code 28557 (Morehead City, Carteret County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 28557 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 18

First frostNov 21

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 Morehead City, 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 Morehead City, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 5

Growing season249 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Morehead City 2 Wnw, NC — within 1 mile, elevation 10 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 28557

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 28557 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 Morehead City, NC.

Soil in Morehead City, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28557 is Autryville — loamy fine sand, well drained.

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

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Autryville loamy 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 28557; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Morehead City, NC

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights36nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,369base 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

Precipitation58.5 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: Morehead City 2 Wnw, NC (within 1 mile); precipitation: Morehead City 0.6 Nw, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

285128b

Atlantic Beach, NC · 4 mi

Harkers Island, NC · 11 mi

285289a

Gloucester, NC · 12 mi

285948b

Emerald Isle, NC · 13 mi

285539a

Marshallberg, NC · 14 mi

285328b

Havelock, NC · 14 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28557

What planting zone is ZIP code 28557?

ZIP code 28557 (Morehead City, 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 Morehead City, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28557 is March 18; after April 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morehead City 2 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in Morehead City, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28557 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 249 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28557?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28557 get?

About 58.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morehead City 0.6 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Morehead City, NC?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28557 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Autryville at the center of ZIP 28557: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Morehead City, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28557 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 Morehead City, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28557 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28557 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28557 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.