Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 28762 — Old Fort, NC

ZIP code 28762 (Old Fort, McDowell County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 28762 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 21

First frostOct 23

2012 zone7b

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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Old Fort, 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 Old Fort, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 9

Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Old Ft Ag 3 W, NC — 4 miles away, elevation 1,424 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 28762

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

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 21) 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 28762 came on Feb 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26).

average
Feb 262026
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 7b in North Carolina

596 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Old Fort, NC.

Soil in Old Fort, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28762 is Biltmore — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Biltmore loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 28762; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Old Fort, NC

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,513base 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

Precipitation53.7 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: Old Ft Ag 3 W, NC (4 mi away); precipitation: Old Fort 0.2 W, NC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

287707a

Ridgecrest, NC · 5 mi

287117a

Black Mountain, NC · 5 mi

Lake Lure, NC · 11 mi

287787a

Swannanoa, NC · 12 mi

287307a

Fairview, NC · 12 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28762

What planting zone is ZIP code 28762?

ZIP code 28762 (Old Fort, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Old Fort, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28762 is April 21; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Old Ft Ag 3 W station.

When is the first frost in Old Fort, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28762 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28762?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28762 get?

About 53.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Old Fort 0.2 W station).

How hot do summers get in Old Fort, NC?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28762 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Biltmore at the center of ZIP 28762: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Old Fort, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28762 came on Feb 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Old Fort, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28762 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.