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

Planting zone for 28607 — Boone, NC

ZIP code 28607 (Boone, Watauga County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 28607 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostMay 2

First frostOct 13

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Boone, 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 Boone, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Boone 1 Se, NC — within 1 mile, elevation 3,101 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 28607

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 28607 came on Mar 6 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

average
Mar 172026
Mar 6

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 7a in North Carolina

583 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Boone, NC.

Soil in Boone, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28607 is Chestnut — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chestnut-Edneyville complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, stony.

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 28607; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Boone, NC

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,401base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation59.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall26 inper year; 22 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: Boone 1 Se, NC (within 1 mile); precipitation: Boone 1 Se, 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.

286056b

Blowing Rock, NC · 6 mi

286187b

Deep Gap, NC · 7 mi

286917a

Valle Crucis, NC · 7 mi

Sugar Grove, NC · 11 mi

286046b

Banner Elk, NC · 12 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28607

What planting zone is ZIP code 28607?

ZIP code 28607 (Boone, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Boone, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28607 is May 2; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boone 1 Se station.

When is the first frost in Boone, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28607 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28607?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28607 get?

About 59.1 inches of precipitation a year and 26 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boone 1 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Boone, NC?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28607 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chestnut at the center of ZIP 28607: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Boone, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28607 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Boone, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28607 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28607 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28607 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.