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

Planting zone for 28709 — Barnardsville, NC

ZIP code 28709 (Barnardsville, Buncombe County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 28709 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 frostMay 16

First frostOct 4

2012 zone7a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Barnardsville, 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 Barnardsville, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season140 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Mt Mitchell, NC — 6 miles away, elevation 6,240 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 28709

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 28709 came on Mar 6 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

average
Mar 172026
Mar 6

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 Barnardsville, NC.

Soil in Barnardsville, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28709 is Ashe — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

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

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ashe-Cleveland-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 95 percent slopes, very bouldery.

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 28709; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Barnardsville, NC

Summer high67 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days0days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,045base 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

Precipitation47 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: Mt Mitchell, NC (6 mi away); precipitation: Barnardsville 2 Se, NC (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

287877b

Weaverville, NC · 8 mi

287147a

Burnsville, NC · 8 mi

287577a

Montreat, NC · 10 mi

288147b

Asheville, NC · 10 mi

287547a

Mars Hill, NC · 11 mi

287787a

Swannanoa, NC · 11 mi

287707a

Ridgecrest, NC · 12 mi

288057b

Asheville, NC · 12 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28709

What planting zone is ZIP code 28709?

ZIP code 28709 (Barnardsville, 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 Barnardsville, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28709 is May 16; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mt Mitchell station.

When is the first frost in Barnardsville, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28709 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 140 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28709?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28709 get?

About 47 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Barnardsville 2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Barnardsville, NC?

The average high peaks at 67 °F in July, with about 0 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28709 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ashe at the center of ZIP 28709: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Barnardsville, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28709 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Barnardsville, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28709 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.