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

Planting zone for 28669 — Roaring River, NC

ZIP code 28669 (Roaring River, Wilkes County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 28669 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 15

First frostOct 26

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 Roaring River, 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 Roaring River, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season194 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Elkin, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 909 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 28669

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 28669 came on Feb 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27).

average
Feb 272026
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 Roaring River, NC.

Soil in Roaring River, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28669 is Codorus — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Codorus loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 28669; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Roaring River, NC

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights112nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,775base 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

Precipitation49 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 3 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: Elkin, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Elkin, NC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

286567b

North Wilkesboro, NC · 3 mi

286707b

Ronda, NC · 5 mi

286597b

North Wilkesboro, NC · 9 mi

286857b

Traphill, NC · 9 mi

286427b

Jonesville, NC · 10 mi

286767b

State Road, NC · 11 mi

286357b

Hays, NC · 11 mi

286977b

Wilkesboro, NC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28669

What planting zone is ZIP code 28669?

ZIP code 28669 (Roaring River, 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 Roaring River, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28669 is April 15; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elkin station.

When is the first frost in Roaring River, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28669 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 194 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28669?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28669 get?

About 49 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elkin station).

How hot do summers get in Roaring River, NC?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28669 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Codorus at the center of ZIP 28669: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Roaring River, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28669 came on Feb 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Roaring River, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28669 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28669 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28669 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.