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

Planting zone for 28659 — North Wilkesboro, NC

ZIP code 28659 (North Wilkesboro, Wilkes County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 28659 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 frostApr 10

First frostOct 29

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 North Wilkesboro, 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 North Wilkesboro, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station N Wilkesboro, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 1,119 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 28659

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 28659 came on Feb 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28).

average
Feb 282026
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 North Wilkesboro, NC.

Soil in North Wilkesboro, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28659 is Fairview — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fairview sandy loam, 15 to 25 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 28659; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in North Wilkesboro, NC

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights104nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,013base 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

Precipitation51.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall6 inper year; 6 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: N Wilkesboro, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: N Wilkesboro, NC (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

286977b

Wilkesboro, NC · 6 mi

286567b

North Wilkesboro, NC · 6 mi

286357b

Hays, NC · 8 mi

286697b

Roaring River, NC · 9 mi

Moravian Falls, NC · 11 mi

286517b

Millers Creek, NC · 11 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in North Wilkesboro → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28659

What planting zone is ZIP code 28659?

ZIP code 28659 (North Wilkesboro, 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 North Wilkesboro, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28659 is April 10; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Wilkesboro station.

When is the first frost in North Wilkesboro, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28659 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28659?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28659 get?

About 51.7 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Wilkesboro station).

How hot do summers get in North Wilkesboro, NC?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28659 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fairview at the center of ZIP 28659: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in North Wilkesboro, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28659 came on Feb 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in North Wilkesboro, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28659 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28659 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28659 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.