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

Planting zone for 28763 — Otto, NC

ZIP code 28763 (Otto, Macon County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 28763 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 23

First frostOct 17

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Otto, 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 Otto, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Coweeta Exp Stn, NC — 3 miles away, elevation 2,247 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 28763

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 28763 came on Mar 3 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

average
Mar 82026
Mar 3

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 Otto, NC.

Soil in Otto, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28763 is Cullasaja — very cobbly fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery cobbly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly 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: Cullasaja very cobbly fine sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, extremely bouldery.

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 28763; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Otto, NC

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,672base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation72.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 2 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Coweeta Exp Stn, NC (3 mi away); precipitation: Coweeta Exp Stn, NC (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

305687b

Rabun Gap, GA · 6 mi

287757a

Scaly Mountain, NC · 8 mi

305377b

Dillard, GA · 8 mi

305627b

Mountain City, GA · 9 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28763

What planting zone is ZIP code 28763?

ZIP code 28763 (Otto, 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 Otto, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28763 is April 23; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Coweeta Exp Stn station.

When is the first frost in Otto, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28763 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28763?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28763 get?

About 72.2 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Coweeta Exp Stn station).

How hot do summers get in Otto, NC?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28763 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cullasaja at the center of ZIP 28763: very cobbly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Otto, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28763 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Otto, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28763 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28763 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28763 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.