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

Planting zone for 28564 — New Bern, NC

ZIP code 28564 (New Bern, 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 28564 is

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 New Bern, 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 New Bern, 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 — 3 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 28564

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 28564 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 New Bern, NC.

Soil in New Bern, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28564 is Arapahoe — fine sandy loam, very poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Arapahoe fine sandy 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 28564; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Bern, 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

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 71 °F 90°71° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 70 °F 88°70° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 65 °F 83°65° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° 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: New Bern Craven Co. Airport, NC (3 mi away); precipitation: New Bern 1.3 Nne, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

285638b
New Bern, NC · <1 mi
285618b
New Bern, NC · <1 mi
285198b
Bridgeton, NC · 3 mi
285628b
New Bern, NC · 4 mi
285608b
New Bern, NC · 5 mi
285298b
Grantsboro, NC · 10 mi
285278b
Ernul, NC · 11 mi
285738b
Pollocksville, NC · 12 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in New Bern → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28564

What planting zone is ZIP code 28564?

ZIP code 28564 (New Bern, 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 New Bern, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28564 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 New Bern, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28564 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28564?

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 28564 get?

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

How hot do summers get in New Bern, 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 28564 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Arapahoe at the center of ZIP 28564: fine sandy loam, very poorly drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in New Bern, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28564 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 New Bern, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28564 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28564 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28564 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.