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

Planting zone for 28774 — Sapphire, NC

ZIP code 28774 (Sapphire, Transylvania County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 28774 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 15

First frostOct 26

2012 zone6b

Was 6b on the 2012 map — a full 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 Sapphire, 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 Sapphire, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Lake Toxaway 2 Sw, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 3,199 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 28774

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 28774 came on Mar 2 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Mar 2

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 Sapphire, NC.

Soil in Sapphire, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28774 is Watauga — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Watauga loam, 15 to 30 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 28774; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sapphire, NC

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights100nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,099base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation96.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall12 inper year; 11 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: Lake Toxaway 2 Sw, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Lake Toxaway 2 Sw, NC (2 mi away). 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.

287477b

Lake Toxaway, NC · 6 mi

Tuckasegee, NC · 10 mi

296858a

Sunset, SC · 11 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28774

What planting zone is ZIP code 28774?

ZIP code 28774 (Sapphire, 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 Sapphire, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28774 is April 15; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Toxaway 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Sapphire, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28774 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28774?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28774 get?

About 96.3 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Toxaway 2 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Sapphire, NC?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28774 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Watauga at the center of ZIP 28774: loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sapphire, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28774 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sapphire, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28774 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28774 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28774 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.