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

Planting zone for 28717 — Cashiers, NC

ZIP code 28717 (Cashiers, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 28717 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 frostApr 26

First frostOct 17

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 Cashiers, 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 Cashiers, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Jocassee 8 Wnw, SC — 4 miles away, elevation 2,539 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 28717

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 28717 came on Feb 26 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
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 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 Cashiers, NC.

Soil in Cashiers, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28717 is Cleveland — gravelly fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cleveland-Chestnut-Rock outcrop complex, windswept, 50 to 95 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 28717; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cashiers, NC

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights114nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,832base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation87.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 1 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: Jocassee 8 Wnw, SC (4 mi away); precipitation: Jocassee 8 Wnw, SC (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Lake Toxaway, NC · 12 mi

287757a

Scaly Mountain, NC · 13 mi

296648a

Mountain Rest, SC · 14 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28717

What planting zone is ZIP code 28717?

ZIP code 28717 (Cashiers, 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 Cashiers, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28717 is April 26; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jocassee 8 Wnw station.

When is the first frost in Cashiers, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28717 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28717?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28717 get?

About 87.3 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jocassee 8 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Cashiers, NC?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28717 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cleveland at the center of ZIP 28717: gravelly fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cashiers, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28717 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cashiers, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28717 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.