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

Planting zone for 28754 — Mars Hill, NC

ZIP code 28754 (Mars Hill, Madison County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 28754 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 28

First frostOct 18

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 Mars Hill, 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 Mars Hill, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Marshall, NC — 10 miles away, elevation 1,919 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 28754

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 28754 came on Mar 1 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
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 Mars Hill, NC.

Soil in Mars Hill, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28754 is Buladean — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Buladean-Chestnut complex, basin, 30 to 50 percent slopes, stony.

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 28754; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mars Hill, NC

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,358base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation46.6 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: Marshall, NC (10 mi away); precipitation: Mars Hill 2.6 Se, NC (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

287877b

Weaverville, NC · 9 mi

376577a

Flag Pond, TN · 10 mi

287097a

Barnardsville, NC · 11 mi

287537a

Marshall, NC · 11 mi

287147a

Burnsville, NC · 12 mi

287017b

Alexander, NC · 14 mi

288147b

Asheville, NC · 15 mi

376507a

Erwin, TN · 15 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28754

What planting zone is ZIP code 28754?

ZIP code 28754 (Mars Hill, 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 Mars Hill, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28754 is April 28; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Marshall station.

When is the first frost in Mars Hill, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28754 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28754?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28754 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mars Hill 2.6 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Mars Hill, NC?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28754 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Buladean at the center of ZIP 28754: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mars Hill, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28754 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mars Hill, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28754 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.