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

Planting zone for 28635 — Hays, NC

ZIP code 28635 (Hays, Wilkes County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 28635 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 22

First frostOct 22

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hays, 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 Hays, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Sparta 3.5 Ssw, NC — 9 miles away, elevation 3,012 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 28635

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 28635 came on Feb 26 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
Feb 26

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 Hays, NC.

Soil in Hays, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28635 is Chestnut — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly 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 matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Chestnut-Ashe complex, 25 to 90 percent slopes, very 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 28635; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hays, NC

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,003base 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

Precipitation56.3 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: Sparta 3.5 Ssw, NC (9 mi away); precipitation: Sparta 3.5 Ssw, NC (9 mi away). 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.

North Wilkesboro, NC · 8 mi

286597b

North Wilkesboro, NC · 8 mi

286517b

Millers Creek, NC · 10 mi

286277a

Glade Valley, NC · 10 mi

286687a

Roaring Gap, NC · 10 mi

286447a

Laurel Springs, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28635

What planting zone is ZIP code 28635?

ZIP code 28635 (Hays, 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 Hays, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28635 is April 22; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sparta 3.5 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Hays, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28635 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28635?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28635 get?

About 56.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sparta 3.5 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Hays, NC?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28635 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chestnut at the center of ZIP 28635: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hays, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28635 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hays, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28635 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28635 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28635 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.