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

Planting zone for Atmore, AL

Atmore, AL is in USDA zones 8b to 9a across its 3 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost November 27.

Atmore on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · 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.

Zones8b–9a15 to 25 °F

ZIP codes3

Last frostFeb 28

First frostNov 27

Growing season270 days

8b 1 ZIP 9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Atmore, AL…

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 Atmore, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 27median — 10% chance by Nov 8

Growing season270 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 12 and returns around December 14.

From the NOAA station Atmore, AL, elevation 299 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 Atmore

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 2 – Oct 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 13 – Dec 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Nov 27) 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 36502 came on Jan 16 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
Jan 16

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 8b in Alabama

569 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Atmore, AL.

Soil in Atmore, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36502 is Orangeburg — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Orangeburg fine sandy loam, 5 to 8 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 36502; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Atmore, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days81days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights30nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,718base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation63.6 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: Atmore, AL (4 mi away); precipitation: Atmore, AL (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Atmore

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about Atmore

What planting zone is Atmore, AL?

Atmore, AL is in USDA hardiness zones 8b to 9a on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F; 9a: 20 to 25 °F).

When is the last frost in Atmore, AL?

The median last spring frost is February 28 and the median first fall frost is November 27 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atmore station).

When can I plant a garden in Atmore, AL?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 17 – Feb 7; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 7, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Atmore, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 10 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Atmore, AL get?

About 63.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).