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

Planting zone for 28644 — Laurel Springs, NC

ZIP code 28644 (Laurel Springs, Ashe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 28644 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 4
First frostOct 10
2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — a full 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 Laurel Springs, 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 Laurel Springs, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Transou, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 2,835 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 28644

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 28644 came on Mar 6 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

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.

Trees 86

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 124

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 183

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 163

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Laurel Springs, NC.

Soil in Laurel Springs, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28644 is Clifton — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Clifton loam, 8 to 15 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 28644; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Laurel Springs, NC

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,431base 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
Precipitation58.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 30 °F 54°30° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 JanFebruary: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 FebMarch: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 MarApril: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 5.51 in precipitation 5.5 MayJune: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 5.19 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 5.58 in precipitation 5.6 AugSeptember: 5.97 in precipitation 6.0 SepOctober: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 NovDecember: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Transou, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Transou, NC (2 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.

286727a
Scottville, NC · 5 mi
286177a
Crumpler, NC · 6 mi
286407a
Jefferson, NC · 7 mi
286297a
Glendale Springs, NC · 7 mi
286497b
Mc Grady, NC · 7 mi
286637a
Piney Creek, NC · 8 mi
286517b
Millers Creek, NC · 8 mi
286757a
Sparta, NC · 10 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28644

What planting zone is ZIP code 28644?

ZIP code 28644 (Laurel Springs, 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 Laurel Springs, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28644 is May 4; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Transou station.

When is the first frost in Laurel Springs, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28644 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28644?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28644 get?

About 58.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Transou station).

How hot do summers get in Laurel Springs, NC?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28644 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clifton at the center of ZIP 28644: loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Laurel Springs, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28644 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Laurel Springs, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28644 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28644 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28644 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.