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

Planting zone for 28740 — Green Mountain, NC

ZIP code 28740 (Green Mountain, Yancey County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 28740 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 24

First frostOct 19

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 Green Mountain, 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 Green Mountain, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Burnsville Ag, NC — 7 miles away, elevation 2,825 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 28740

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 28740 came on Mar 1 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
Mar 1

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 Green Mountain, NC.

Soil in Green Mountain, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28740 is Porters — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Porters-Unaka complex, 50 to 95 percent slopes, rocky.

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 28740; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Green Mountain, NC

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights96nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,168base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation45.9 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: Burnsville Ag, NC (7 mi away); precipitation: Burnsville Ag, NC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

287057a

Bakersville, NC · 9 mi

Burnsville, NC · 10 mi

Flag Pond, TN · 14 mi

287547a

Mars Hill, NC · 16 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28740

What planting zone is ZIP code 28740?

ZIP code 28740 (Green Mountain, 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 Green Mountain, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28740 is April 24; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burnsville Ag station.

When is the first frost in Green Mountain, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28740 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28740?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28740 get?

About 45.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burnsville Ag station).

How hot do summers get in Green Mountain, NC?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28740 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Porters at the center of ZIP 28740: loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Green Mountain, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28740 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Green Mountain, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28740 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.