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

Planting zone for 28653 — Montezuma, NC

ZIP code 28653 (Montezuma, Avery County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 28653 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostMay 5

First frostOct 13

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Montezuma, 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 Montezuma, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Grandfather Mtn, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 5,279 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 28653

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 28653 came on Mar 8 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Mar 8

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 6b in North Carolina

548 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 6b. 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 Montezuma, NC.

Soil in Montezuma, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28653 is Whiteoak — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Whiteoak fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 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 28653; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Montezuma, NC

Summer high72 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights115nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,871base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation63.5 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: Grandfather Mtn, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: Linville 2.4 Ene, NC (3 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.

Minneapolis, NC · 5 mi

286647a

Plumtree, NC · 6 mi

286416b

Jonas Ridge, NC · 6 mi

286477a

Linville Falls, NC · 8 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28653

What planting zone is ZIP code 28653?

ZIP code 28653 (Montezuma, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Montezuma, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28653 is May 5; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grandfather Mtn station.

When is the first frost in Montezuma, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28653 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28653?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28653 get?

About 63.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Linville 2.4 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Montezuma, NC?

The average high peaks at 72 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28653 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Whiteoak at the center of ZIP 28653: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Montezuma, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28653 came on Mar 8 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Montezuma, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28653 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28653 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28653 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.