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

Planting zone for 28902 — Brasstown, NC

ZIP code 28902 (Brasstown, Clay County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 28902 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 22

First frostOct 20

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 Brasstown, 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 Brasstown, NC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Murphy 4ese, NC — 3 miles away, elevation 1,601 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 28902

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 28902 came on Feb 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
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 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 Brasstown, NC.

Soil in Brasstown, NC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 28902 is Junaluska — moderately decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter60%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Junaluska-Tsali complex, 30 to 50 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 28902; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brasstown, NC

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,839base 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

Precipitation59.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 3 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: Murphy 4ese, NC (3 mi away); precipitation: Murphy 4ese, 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.

289097b

Warne, NC · 3 mi

305827b

Young Harris, GA · 5 mi

289057b

Marble, NC · 10 mi

305147a

Blairsville, GA · 10 mi

289067b

Murphy, NC · 11 mi

305127b

Blairsville, GA · 11 mi

289037b

Culberson, NC · 12 mi

289047b

Hayesville, NC · 13 mi

North Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 28902

What planting zone is ZIP code 28902?

ZIP code 28902 (Brasstown, 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 Brasstown, NC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 28902 is April 22; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Murphy 4ese station.

When is the first frost in Brasstown, NC?

The median first fall frost near 28902 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 28902?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 28902 get?

About 59.3 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Murphy 4ese station).

How hot do summers get in Brasstown, NC?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 28902 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Junaluska at the center of ZIP 28902: moderately decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Brasstown, NC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 28902 came on Feb 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Brasstown, NC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 28902 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 28902 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 28902 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.