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

Planting zone for 28606 — Boomer, NC

ZIP code 28606 (Boomer, Wilkes County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 28606 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 7

First frostNov 1

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Boomer, 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 Boomer, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 11.

From the NOAA station W Kerr Scott Resv, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 1,070 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 28606

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 28606 came on Feb 22 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

average
Feb 262026
Feb 22

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 7b in North Carolina

596 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 7b. 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 Boomer, NC.

Soil in Boomer, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28606 is Fairview — sandy clay loam, well drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Fairview sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 28606; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Boomer, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights98nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,154base 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

Precipitation52.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 inper year; 5 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: W Kerr Scott Resv, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: W Kerr Scott Resv, NC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

286247b

Ferguson, NC · 8 mi

286547b

Moravian Falls, NC · 8 mi

286977b

Wilkesboro, NC · 10 mi

286818a

Taylorsville, NC · 10 mi

North Wilkesboro, NC · 14 mi

286617b

Patterson, NC · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28606

What planting zone is ZIP code 28606?

ZIP code 28606 (Boomer, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Boomer, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28606 is April 7; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Kerr Scott Resv station.

When is the first frost in Boomer, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28606 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28606?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28606 get?

About 52.5 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Kerr Scott Resv station).

How hot do summers get in Boomer, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28606 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fairview at the center of ZIP 28606: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Boomer, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28606 came on Feb 22 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Boomer, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28606 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.