Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 28704 — Arden, NC

ZIP code 28704 (Arden, Buncombe County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 28704 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 18

First frostOct 21

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 Arden, 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 Arden, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Fletcher 3 W, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 2,070 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 28704

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 28704 came on Feb 26 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

average
Mar 32026
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 Arden, NC.

Soil in Arden, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28704 is Clifton — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clifton-Urban land complex, 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 28704; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Arden, NC

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,452base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall9 inper year; 4 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: Fletcher 3 W, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Fletcher 3 W, NC (2 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.

Mills River, NC · 6 mi

287327b

Fletcher, NC · 7 mi

287427a

Horse Shoe, NC · 7 mi

287587b

Mountain Home, NC · 7 mi

287607b

Naples, NC · 7 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28704

What planting zone is ZIP code 28704?

ZIP code 28704 (Arden, 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 Arden, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28704 is April 18; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fletcher 3 W station.

When is the first frost in Arden, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28704 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28704?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28704 get?

About 53.9 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fletcher 3 W station).

How hot do summers get in Arden, NC?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28704 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clifton at the center of ZIP 28704: clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Arden, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28704 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Arden, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28704 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28704 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28704 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.