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

Planting zone for 28901 — Andrews, NC

ZIP code 28901 (Andrews, Cherokee County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 28901 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 17

First frostOct 23

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Andrews, 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 Andrews, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Andrews, NC — 2 miles away, elevation 1,749 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 28901

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

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 17) 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 28901 came on Feb 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28).

average
Feb 282026
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 7a in North Carolina

583 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Andrews, NC.

Soil in Andrews, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28901 is Dellwood — gravelly fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

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

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5.5%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dellwood gravelly fine sandy loam, 0 to 5 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 28901; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Andrews, NC

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,775base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 32 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

Precipitation65.7 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: Andrews, NC (2 mi away); precipitation: Hayesville 5.2 E, NC (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Hayesville, NC · 10 mi

287717a

Robbinsville, NC · 10 mi

289097b

Warne, NC · 15 mi

289027b

Brasstown, NC · 15 mi

287027a

Almond, NC · 15 mi

287337b

Fontana Dam, NC · 16 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28901

What planting zone is ZIP code 28901?

ZIP code 28901 (Andrews, NC) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Andrews, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28901 is April 17; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Andrews station.

When is the first frost in Andrews, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28901 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28901?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28901 get?

About 65.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hayesville 5.2 E station).

How hot do summers get in Andrews, NC?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28901 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dellwood at the center of ZIP 28901: gravelly fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Andrews, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28901 came on Feb 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Andrews, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28901 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.