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

Planting zone for 28742 — Horse Shoe, NC

ZIP code 28742 (Horse Shoe, Henderson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 28742 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 17

First frostOct 23

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 Horse Shoe, 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 Horse Shoe, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Asheville 13 S, NC — 6 miles away, elevation 2,103 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 28742

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 28742 came on Feb 26 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6).

average
Mar 62026
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 Horse Shoe, NC.

Soil in Horse Shoe, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28742 is Hayesville — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hayesville loam, 15 to 25 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 28742; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Horse Shoe, NC

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights96nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,415base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51.4 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: Asheville 13 S, NC (6 mi away); precipitation: Asheville 13 S, NC (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

287597b

Mills River, NC · 4 mi

287687a

Pisgah Forest, NC · 5 mi

Hendersonville, NC · 8 mi

287287b

Enka, NC · 9 mi

287587b

Mountain Home, NC · 9 mi

287667b

Penrose, NC · 9 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28742

What planting zone is ZIP code 28742?

ZIP code 28742 (Horse Shoe, 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 Horse Shoe, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28742 is April 17; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Asheville 13 S station.

When is the first frost in Horse Shoe, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28742 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28742?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28742 get?

About 51.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Asheville 13 S station).

How hot do summers get in Horse Shoe, NC?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28742 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hayesville at the center of ZIP 28742: loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Horse Shoe, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28742 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Horse Shoe, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28742 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.