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

Planting zone for 28638 — Hudson, NC

ZIP code 28638 (Hudson, Caldwell County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 28638 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostApr 7

First frostOct 31

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hudson, 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 Hudson, 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 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season207 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Lenoir, NC — 6 miles away, elevation 1,155 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 28638

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 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 28638 came on Feb 24 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
Feb 24

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 8a in North Carolina

619 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Hudson, NC.

Soil in Hudson, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28638 is Fairview — sandy clay loam, well drained.

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

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fairview-Urban land complex, 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 28638; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hudson, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights91nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,160base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation47.3 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: Lenoir, NC (6 mi away); precipitation: Rhodhiss Hydro Plt, NC (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

286308a

Granite Falls, NC · 3 mi

286678a

Rhodhiss, NC · 6 mi

286718a

Rutherford College, NC · 7 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28638

What planting zone is ZIP code 28638?

ZIP code 28638 (Hudson, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Hudson, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28638 is April 7; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lenoir station.

When is the first frost in Hudson, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28638 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 207 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28638?

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 28638 get?

About 47.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rhodhiss Hydro Plt station).

How hot do summers get in Hudson, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28638 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fairview at the center of ZIP 28638: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hudson, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28638 came on Feb 24 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hudson, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28638 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28638 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28638 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.