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

Planting zone for 28745 — Lake Junaluska, NC

ZIP code 28745 (Lake Junaluska, Haywood County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 28745 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 30

First frostOct 14

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Lake Junaluska, 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 Lake Junaluska, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Waynesville 1 E, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 2,658 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 28745

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 28745 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 Lake Junaluska, NC.

Soil in Lake Junaluska, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28745 is Dillsboro — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter8%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dillsboro-Urban land complex, 2 to 15 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 28745; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake Junaluska, NC

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,990base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 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

Precipitation53.9 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: Waynesville 1 E, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Waynesville 0.7 Ene, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

287387a

Hazelwood, NC · 4 mi

287867a

Waynesville, NC · 4 mi

287217a

Clyde, NC · 8 mi

287517a

Maggie Valley, NC · 8 mi

Waynesville, NC · 13 mi

287237a

Cullowhee, NC · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28745

What planting zone is ZIP code 28745?

ZIP code 28745 (Lake Junaluska, 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 Lake Junaluska, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28745 is April 30; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waynesville 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Lake Junaluska, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28745 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28745?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28745 get?

About 53.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waynesville 0.7 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Lake Junaluska, NC?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28745 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dillsboro at the center of ZIP 28745: loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lake Junaluska, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28745 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 Lake Junaluska, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28745 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28745 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28745 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.