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

Planting zone for 28649 — Mc Grady, NC

ZIP code 28649 (Mc Grady, Wilkes County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 28649 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 frostMay 4

First frostOct 10

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 Mc Grady, 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 Mc Grady, 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 — 7 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 28649

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 28649 came on Feb 26 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).

average
Mar 42026
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 Mc Grady, NC.

Soil in Mc Grady, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28649 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-Edneyville complex, 25 to 60 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 28649; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mc Grady, 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 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

Precipitation58.7 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: Transou, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Transou, NC (7 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.

286357b

Hays, NC · 5 mi

286517b

Millers Creek, NC · 6 mi

286447a

Laurel Springs, NC · 7 mi

286297a

Glendale Springs, NC · 8 mi

286597b

North Wilkesboro, NC · 9 mi

286857b

Traphill, NC · 10 mi

286567b

North Wilkesboro, NC · 11 mi

286407a

Jefferson, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28649

What planting zone is ZIP code 28649?

ZIP code 28649 (Mc Grady, 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 Mc Grady, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28649 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 Mc Grady, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28649 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28649?

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 28649 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Mc Grady, 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 28649 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Chestnut at the center of ZIP 28649: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mc Grady, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28649 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mc Grady, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28649 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28649 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28649 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.