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

Planting zone for 28710 — Bat Cave, NC

ZIP code 28710 (Bat Cave, Henderson County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 28710 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 5

First frostOct 30

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bat Cave, 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 Bat Cave, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season207 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Lake Lure 2, NC — 6 miles away, elevation 1,040 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 28710

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 28710 came on Feb 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
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 Bat Cave, NC.

Soil in Bat Cave, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28710 is Ashe — stony sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureStony sandy 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 matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ashe stony sandy loam, 45 to 70 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 28710; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bat Cave, NC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,278base 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

Precipitation58.4 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: Lake Lure 2, NC (6 mi away); precipitation: Chimney Rock 0.3 E, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

287207b

Chimney Rock, NC · 1 mi

287357a

Gerton, NC · 4 mi

287277b

Edneyville, NC · 6 mi

287927b

Hendersonville, NC · 7 mi

Mill Spring, NC · 8 mi

287327b

Fletcher, NC · 9 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28710

What planting zone is ZIP code 28710?

ZIP code 28710 (Bat Cave, 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 Bat Cave, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28710 is April 5; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Lure 2 station.

When is the first frost in Bat Cave, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28710 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 207 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28710?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28710 get?

About 58.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chimney Rock 0.3 E station).

How hot do summers get in Bat Cave, NC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 45 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28710 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ashe at the center of ZIP 28710: stony sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bat Cave, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28710 came on Feb 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bat Cave, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28710 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.