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

Planting zone for 28604 — Banner Elk, NC

ZIP code 28604 (Banner Elk, Avery County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 28604 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 6

First frostOct 14

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Banner Elk, 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 Banner Elk, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Beech Mtn, NC — within 1 mile, elevation 5,053 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 28604

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 28604 came on Mar 7 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 7

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 6b in North Carolina

548 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Banner Elk, NC.

Soil in Banner Elk, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28604 is Unaka — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Unaka-Porters complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes, very rocky.

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 28604; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Banner Elk, NC

Summer high69 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,613base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall67 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Beech Mtn, NC (within 1 mile); precipitation: Beech Mtn, 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.

286917a

Valle Crucis, NC · 5 mi

286226b

Elk Park, NC · 5 mi

286797a

Sugar Grove, NC · 6 mi

Minneapolis, NC · 9 mi

286927a

Vilas, NC · 10 mi

286056b

Blowing Rock, NC · 10 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28604

What planting zone is ZIP code 28604?

ZIP code 28604 (Banner Elk, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Banner Elk, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28604 is May 6; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beech Mtn station.

When is the first frost in Banner Elk, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28604 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 159 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28604?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28604 get?

About 57.8 inches of precipitation a year and 67 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beech Mtn station).

How hot do summers get in Banner Elk, NC?

The average high peaks at 69 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28604 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Unaka at the center of ZIP 28604: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Banner Elk, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28604 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Banner Elk, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28604 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28604 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28604 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.