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

Planting zone for Fairhope, AL

Fairhope, AL is in USDA zone 9a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 17.

Fairhope on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 10

First frostNov 17

Growing season253 days

9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fairhope, 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 Fairhope, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season253 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 26 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Fairhope 2 Ne, AL, elevation 23 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 Fairhope

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 36533 came on Jan 16 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
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 9a in Alabama

582 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Fairhope, AL.

Soil in Fairhope, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36533 is Faceville — fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Faceville fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 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 36533; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fairhope, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days81days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,165base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation69.2 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: Fairhope 2 Ne, AL (4 mi away); precipitation: Fairhope 2.2 E, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Fairhope

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about Fairhope

What planting zone is Fairhope, AL?

Fairhope, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F).

When is the last frost in Fairhope, AL?

The median last spring frost is March 10 and the median first fall frost is November 17 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairhope 2 Ne station).

When can I plant a garden in Fairhope, AL?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 27 – Feb 17; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 17, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Fairhope, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Fairhope, AL get?

About 69.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).