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

Planting zone for 28664 — Plumtree, NC

ZIP code 28664 (Plumtree, Avery County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 28664 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 frostApr 26

First frostOct 20

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 Plumtree, 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 Plumtree, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Spruce Pine 2 Ne, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 2,851 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 28664

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 28664 came on Mar 7 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
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 Plumtree, NC.

Soil in Plumtree, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28664 is Unaka — cobbly loam, well drained.

TextureCobbly loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Unaka-Porters complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes, very rocky.

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 28664; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Plumtree, NC

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,824base 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

Precipitation57.2 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: Spruce Pine 2 Ne, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Spruce Pine 2 Ne, NC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

286526b

Minneapolis, NC · 3 mi

Linville Falls, NC · 7 mi

286416b

Jonas Ridge, NC · 8 mi

287057a

Bakersville, NC · 8 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28664

What planting zone is ZIP code 28664?

ZIP code 28664 (Plumtree, 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 Plumtree, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28664 is April 26; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spruce Pine 2 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Plumtree, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28664 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28664?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28664 get?

About 57.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Spruce Pine 2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Plumtree, 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 28664 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Unaka at the center of ZIP 28664: cobbly loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Plumtree, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28664 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Plumtree, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28664 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28664 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28664 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.