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

Planting zone for 28701 — Alexander, NC

ZIP code 28701 (Alexander, Buncombe County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 28701 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 28
First frostOct 18
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 Alexander, 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 Alexander, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 6
Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Marshall, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 1,919 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 28701

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 28701 came on Feb 26 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2).

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.

Trees 89

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 129

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 186

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 165

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Alexander, NC.

Soil in Alexander, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28701 is Zillicoa — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Zillicoa loam, 15 to 30 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 28701; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alexander, NC

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,358base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 47 °F, low 24 °F 47°24° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 26 °F 51°26° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 31 °F 59°31° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 38 °F 69°38° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 57 °F 82°57° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 61 °F 85°61° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 41 °F 70°41° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 30 °F 59°30° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 AprMay: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Marshall, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Asheville 5.6 Nnw, NC (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

288027b
Asheville, NC · 6 mi
288047b
Asheville, NC · 6 mi
287877b
Weaverville, NC · 7 mi
287487a
Leicester, NC · 8 mi
288107b
Asheville, NC · 8 mi
288157b
Asheville, NC · 8 mi
288167b
Asheville, NC · 8 mi
288147b
Asheville, NC · 9 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28701

What planting zone is ZIP code 28701?

ZIP code 28701 (Alexander, 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 Alexander, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28701 is April 28; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marshall station.

When is the first frost in Alexander, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28701 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28701?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28701 get?

About 46 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Asheville 5.6 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Alexander, NC?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28701 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zillicoa at the center of ZIP 28701: loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Alexander, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28701 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alexander, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28701 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28701 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28701 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.