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

Planting zone for Clanton, AL

Clanton, AL is in USDA zone 8a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 10.

Clanton 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 24

First frostNov 10

Growing season233 days

8a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Clanton, 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 Clanton, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Clanton, AL, elevation 591 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 Clanton

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 35046 came on Feb 12 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Feb 12

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 8a in Alabama

550 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Clanton, AL.

Soil in Clanton, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35046 is Talladega — channery silt loam, well drained.

TextureChannery silt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Talladega channery silt loam, 15 to 45 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 35046; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Clanton, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days57days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights49nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,387base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation56.4 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: Clanton 2 Ne, AL (7 mi away); precipitation: Clanton 2 Ne, AL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Clanton

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about Clanton

What planting zone is Clanton, AL?

Clanton, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map (8a: 10 to 15 °F).

When is the last frost in Clanton, AL?

The median last spring frost is March 24 and the median first fall frost is November 10 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clanton station).

When can I plant a garden in Clanton, AL?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 10 – Mar 3; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 31, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Clanton, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Clanton, AL get?

About 56.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).