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

Planting zone for 28643 — Lansing, NC

ZIP code 28643 (Lansing, Ashe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 28643 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 7

First frostOct 8

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 Lansing, 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 Lansing, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Jefferson 2 E, NC — 10 miles away, elevation 2,759 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 28643

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 28643 came on Mar 7 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
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 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 Lansing, NC.

Soil in Lansing, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28643 is Edneyville — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Edneyville loam, 25 to 45 percent slopes.

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 28643; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lansing, NC

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,608base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52.1 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: Jefferson 2 E, NC (10 mi away); precipitation: Lansing 5.9 Nw, NC (3 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.

286937a

Warrensville, NC · 4 mi

242926b

Whitetop, VA · 7 mi

286317a

Grassy Creek, NC · 7 mi

286157a

Creston, NC · 8 mi

243637a

Mouth Of Wilson, VA · 10 mi

286177a

Crumpler, NC · 10 mi

376807a

Laurel Bloomery, TN · 11 mi

286407a

Jefferson, NC · 12 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28643

What planting zone is ZIP code 28643?

ZIP code 28643 (Lansing, 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 Lansing, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28643 is May 7; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jefferson 2 E station.

When is the first frost in Lansing, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28643 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28643?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28643 get?

About 52.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lansing 5.9 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Lansing, NC?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28643 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Edneyville at the center of ZIP 28643: loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lansing, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28643 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lansing, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28643 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28643 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28643 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.