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

Planting zone for 28574 — Richlands, NC

ZIP code 28574 (Richlands, Onslow County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 28574 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostApr 5

First frostNov 4

2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Richlands, 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 Richlands, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season214 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Richlands, NC — 6 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 28574

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 28574 came on Feb 20 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

average
Feb 112026
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 8a in North Carolina

619 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Richlands, NC.

Soil in Richlands, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28574 is Stallings — loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained.

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

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

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Stallings loamy fine 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 28574; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richlands, NC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,901base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 30 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

Precipitation55.5 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: Richlands, NC (6 mi away); precipitation: Richlands, NC (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

285188a

Beulaville, NC · 9 mi

285218a

Chinquapin, NC · 9 mi

285228a

Comfort, NC · 10 mi

285408a

Jacksonville, NC · 11 mi

285468a

Jacksonville, NC · 12 mi

285728a

Pink Hill, NC · 12 mi

285428b

Camp Lejeune, NC · 13 mi

285438b

Tarawa Terrace, NC · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28574

What planting zone is ZIP code 28574?

ZIP code 28574 (Richlands, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Richlands, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28574 is April 5; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richlands station.

When is the first frost in Richlands, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28574 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 214 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28574?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28574 get?

About 55.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Richlands station).

How hot do summers get in Richlands, NC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 53 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28574 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Stallings at the center of ZIP 28574: loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Richlands, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28574 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richlands, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28574 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.