What Growing Zone Is Sims?

Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given Sims a growing zone designation of 8a. Sometimes also called the planting or hardiness zone, this zone number gives you an idea of what plants can and cannot grow in Sims's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature.Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used Sims's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

Latest NC growing zone map

If you are looking for plants suitable for growing in the Sims area, head on over to our page on plants that grow well in Sims, NC.

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Latest NC growing zone map

The growing zone is a measure of the lowest temperature that a plant can survive based on average lowest year temperatures, helping you to decide what plants would grow best in your particular climate. Since Sims is in growing zone 8a this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for Sims's climate should be chosen with this in mind, or plants should be moved inside to keep their core temperature in the right range if necessary.

Some zones may have been changed by the USDA as of 2023. To see if the Sims area has been affected, refer to this map of half zone changes from the 2012 version of the USDA zones to the 2023 version.

The updated map shows that over half of the Southeast has warmed by about half a zone. For gardeners, that means you can now grow plants that tolerate a bit more heat and less frost than before. The tan areas reflect this shift. Meanwhile, the white areas had slight temperature changes, but not enough to move them into a new zone. In the Western U.S., a few spots shifted cooler. That’s not due to a colder climate, but because the new map uses a larger dataset, giving a more accurate picture of local conditions. It's important to keep track of these changes when planning your garden!

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Hardiness Zone FAQ

Have questions about hardiness zones and what they mean for your garden? Check out our FAQ below for quick answers to common questions about USDA hardiness zones and how they affect plant selection in Sims, NC.

The USDA hardiness zone is 8a for Sims. This is sometimes also referred to as the growing or planting zone. These terms are used interchangeably.

Sims's Growing Zone Details

USDA Growing Zone: 8a

Zip Codes:

27880

Longitude: -78.0598

Latitude: 35.7596

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): 10 to 15

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Map of the Sims Area

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Aberdeen Advance Ahoskie Alamance Albemarle Alexis Alliance Altamahaw Anderson Creek Andrews Angier Ansonville Apex Aquadale Arapahoe Archdale Archer Lodge Arrowhead Beach Asheboro Asheville Ashley Heights Askewville Atkinson Atlantic Atlantic Beach Aulander Aurora Autryville Avery Creek Avon Ayden Badin Bailey Bakersville Bald Head Island Balfour Banner Elk Barker Heights Barker Ten Mile Barnardsville Bath Bayboro Bayshore Bayview Bear Grass Beaufort Beech Mountain Belhaven Bell Arthur Belmont Belville Belvoir Belwood Bennett Benson Bent Creek Bermuda Run Bessemer City Bethania Bethel Bethlehem Beulaville Biltmore Forest Biscoe Black Creek Black Mountain Bladenboro Blowing Rock Blue Clay Farms Boardman Bogue Boiling Spring Lakes Boiling Springs Bolivia Bolton Bonnetsville Boone Boonville Bostic Bowdens Bowmore Brandywine Bay Brevard Briar Chapel Brices Creek Bridgeton Broad Creek Broadway Brogden Brookford Brunswick Bryson City Buies Creek Bunn Bunnlevel Burgaw Burlington Burnsville 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Harkers Island Harmony Harrells Harrellsville Harrisburg Hassell Hatteras Havelock Haw River Hayesville Hays Hemby Bridge Henderson Hendersonville Henrietta Hertford Hickory Hiddenite High Point High Shoals Highlands Hightsville Hildebran Hillsborough Hobgood Hobucken Hoffman Holden Beach Hollister Holly Ridge Holly Springs Hookerton Hoopers Creek Hope Mills Horse Shoe Hot Springs Hudson Huntersville Icard Indian Beach Indian Trail Ingold Iron Station Ivanhoe JAARS Jackson Jackson Heights Jackson Springs Jacksonville James City Jamestown Jamesville Jefferson Jonesville Kannapolis Keener Kelford Kelly Kenansville Kenly Kernersville Kill Devil Hills King Kings Grant Kings Mountain Kingstown Kinston Kittrell Kitty Hawk Knightdale Kure Beach La Grange Lake Junaluska Lake Lure Lake Norman of Catawba Lake Park Lake Royale Lake Santeetlah Lake Waccamaw Landis Lansing Lasker Lattimore Laurel Hill Laurel Park Laurinburg Lawndale Leggett Leland Lenoir Lewiston Woodville Lewisville Lexington 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North Topsail Beach North Wilkesboro Northchase Northlakes Northwest Norwood Oak City Oak Island Oak Ridge Oakboro Ocean Isle Beach Ocracoke Ogden Old Fort Old Hundred Oriental Orrum Ossipee Oxford Pantego Parkton Parmele Patterson Springs Peachland Peletier Pembroke Pikeville Pilot Mountain Pine Knoll Shores Pine Level Pinebluff Pinehurst Pinetops Pinetown Pineville Piney Green Pink Hill Pinnacle Pittsboro Plain View Pleasant Garden Pleasant Hill Plymouth Polkton Polkville Pollocksville Porters Neck Potters Hill Powellsville Princeton Princeville Proctorville Prospect Pumpkin Center Raeford Raemon Raleigh Ramseur Randleman Ranlo Raynham Red Cross Red Oak Red Springs Reidsville Rennert Rex Rhodhiss Rich Square Richfield Richlands Riegelwood River Bend River Road Roanoke Rapids Robbins Robbinsville Roberdel Robersonville Rockfish Rockingham Rockwell Rocky Mount Rocky Point Rodanthe Rolesville Ronda Roper Rose Hill Roseboro Rosman Rougemont Rowland Roxboro Roxobel Royal Pines Ruffin Rural Hall Ruth Rutherford College Rutherfordton Salem Salemburg Salisbury Saluda Salvo Sandy Creek Sandyfield Sanford Saratoga Sawmills Saxapahaw Scotch Meadows Scotland Neck Sea Breeze Seaboard Seagrove Sedalia Selma Seven Devils Seven Lakes Seven Springs Severn Shallotte Shannon Sharpsburg Shelby Siler City Silver City Silver Lake Simpson Sims Skippers Corner Smithfield Smithtown Sneads Ferry Snow Hill South Henderson South Mills South Rosemary South Weldon Southern Pines Southern Shores Southmont Southport Sparta Speed Spencer Spencer Mountain Spindale Spout Springs Spring Hope Spring Lake Springdale Spruce Pine St. Helena St. James St. Pauls St. Stephens Staley Stallings Stanfield Stanley Stantonsburg Star Statesville Stedman Stem Stokes Stokesdale Stoneville Stonewall Stony Point Stovall Sugar Mountain Summerfield Sunbury Sunset Beach Surf City Swan Quarter Swannanoa Swansboro Swepsonville Sylva Tabor City Tar Heel Tarboro Taylorsville Taylortown Teachey Thomasville Toast Tobaccoville Topsail Beach Trent Woods Trenton Trinity Troutman Troy Tryon Turkey Tyro Unionville Valdese Valle Crucis Valley Hill Vanceboro Vandemere Vander Vann Crossroads Varnamtown Vass Waco Wade Wadesboro Wagram Wake Forest Wakulla Walkertown Wallace Wallburg Walnut Cove Walnut Creek Walstonburg Wanchese Warrenton Warsaw Washington Washington Park Watha Waves Waxhaw Waynesville Weaverville Webster Weddington Welcome Weldon Wendell Wentworth Wesley Chapel West Canton West Jefferson West Marion Westport Whispering Pines Whitakers White Lake White Oak White Plains Whiteville Whitsett Whittier Wilkesboro Williamston Wilmington Wilson Wilson's Mills Windsor Winfall Wingate Winston-Salem Winterville Winton Woodfin Woodland Woodlawn Wrightsboro Wrightsville Beach Yadkin College Yadkinville Yanceyville Youngsville Zebulon

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Plants For Other States

Looking for the best plants in a different area of the United States? Click on a button below to find plants that are ideal for that state's temperatures.