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

Planting zone for 28586 — Vanceboro, NC

ZIP code 28586 (Vanceboro, Craven County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 28586 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 22

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 Vanceboro, 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 Vanceboro, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Washington Wwtp 4w, NC — 17 miles away, 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 28586

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

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 22) 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 28586 came on Feb 21 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
Feb 21

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 Vanceboro, NC.

Soil in Vanceboro, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28586 is Goldsboro — loamy fine sand, moderately well drained.

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

pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Goldsboro loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 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 28586; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vanceboro, NC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,166base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 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

Precipitation57 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: Washington Wwtp 4w, NC (17 mi away); precipitation: New Bern 1.3 Nne, NC (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

285278b

Ernul, NC · 10 mi

278178b

Chocowinity, NC · 10 mi

285238b

Cove City, NC · 11 mi

278378b

Grimesland, NC · 13 mi

Blounts Creek, NC · 14 mi

285138b

Ayden, NC · 14 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28586

What planting zone is ZIP code 28586?

ZIP code 28586 (Vanceboro, 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 Vanceboro, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28586 is March 22; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Washington Wwtp 4w station.

When is the first frost in Vanceboro, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28586 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28586?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28586 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Vanceboro, NC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28586 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goldsboro at the center of ZIP 28586: loamy fine sand, moderately well drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Vanceboro, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28586 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vanceboro, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28586 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28586 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28586 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.