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

Planting zone for 28802 — Asheville, NC

ZIP code 28802 (Asheville, Buncombe County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 28802 is

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 19
First frostOct 22
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 Asheville, 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 Asheville, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 10
Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Candler 1 W, NC — 6 miles away, elevation 2,241 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 28802

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 28802 came on Feb 26 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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.

Trees 89

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 129

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 186

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 165

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Asheville, NC.

Soil in Asheville, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28802 is Clifton — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Clifton clay loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 28802; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Asheville, NC

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,406base 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
Precipitation44.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 25 °F 48°25° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 28 °F 52°28° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 41 °F 68°41° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 33 °F 59°33° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 28 °F 51°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 FebMarch: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Candler 1 W, NC (6 mi away); precipitation: Leicester 2 Se, NC (within 1 mile). 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.

288067b
Asheville, NC · 5 mi
287487a
Leicester, NC · 6 mi
287017b
Alexander, NC · 6 mi
288047b
Asheville, NC · 6 mi
288017b
Asheville, NC · 6 mi
288107b
Asheville, NC · 8 mi
288157b
Asheville, NC · 8 mi
288167b
Asheville, NC · 8 mi

All 11 ZIP codes in Asheville → · North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28802

What planting zone is ZIP code 28802?

ZIP code 28802 (Asheville, 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 Asheville, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28802 is April 19; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Candler 1 W station.

When is the first frost in Asheville, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28802 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28802?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28802 get?

About 44.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leicester 2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Asheville, NC?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28802 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clifton at the center of ZIP 28802: clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Asheville, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28802 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Asheville, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28802 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28802 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28802 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.