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

Planting zone for Ozark, AL

Ozark, AL is in USDA zone 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost November 24.

Ozark 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 1

First frostNov 24

Growing season270 days

8b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Ozark, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season270 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 12 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station Dothan Regional Airport, AL, elevation 371 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 Ozark

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 29 – Oct 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 10 – Dec 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Nov 24) 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 36360 came on Jan 27 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
Jan 27

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 Ozark, AL.

Soil in Ozark, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36360 is Cuthbert — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cuthbert, Boswell, and Eustis soils, 12 to 30 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 36360; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ozark, AL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights21nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,792base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation53.9 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: Dothan Regional Airport, AL (14 mi away); precipitation: Dothan Regional Airport, AL (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Ozark

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about Ozark

What planting zone is Ozark, AL?

Ozark, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Ozark, AL?

The median last spring frost is March 1 and the median first fall frost is November 24 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dothan Regional Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Ozark, AL?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 18 – Feb 8; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 8, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Ozark, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Ozark, AL get?

About 53.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).