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

Planting zone for 28816 — Asheville, NC

ZIP code 28816 (Asheville, Buncombe County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 28816 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 6
First frostOct 31
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 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season205 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Asheville, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 2,238 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 28816

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 28816 came on Feb 26 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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.

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 28816 is Edneyville — gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly 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 matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Edneyville-Chestnut complex, 50 to 95 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 28816; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Asheville, NC

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights77nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,977base 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
Precipitation40.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° JanFebruary: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 JanFebruary: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 MarApril: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 JunJuly: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 2.61 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Asheville, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Asheville 2.1 Nnw, NC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

288107b
Asheville, NC · <1 mi
288157b
Asheville, NC · <1 mi
288047b
Asheville, NC · 2 mi
288017b
Asheville, NC · 2 mi
288057b
Asheville, NC · 3 mi
288147b
Asheville, NC · 4 mi
288067b
Asheville, NC · 6 mi
288037b
Asheville, NC · 6 mi

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

Questions about 28816

What planting zone is ZIP code 28816?

ZIP code 28816 (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 28816 is April 6; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Asheville station.

When is the first frost in Asheville, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28816 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 205 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28816?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28816 get?

About 40.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Asheville 2.1 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Asheville, NC?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28816 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Edneyville at the center of ZIP 28816: gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Asheville, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28816 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Asheville, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28816 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28816 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28816 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.