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

Planting zone for 35035 — Brierfield, AL

ZIP code 35035 (Brierfield, Bibb County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 35035 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 12
First frostNov 16
2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Brierfield, 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 Brierfield, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season248 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 27 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Alabaster Shelby Co. Airport, AL — 14 miles away, elevation 564 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 35035

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 35035 came on Feb 13 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

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.

Trees 83

Shrubs 125

Wildflowers & perennials 171

Grasses 148

Vines 13

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 Brierfield, AL.

Soil in Brierfield, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35035 is Luverne — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains 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: Luverne-Smithdale complex, 15 to 35 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 35035; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brierfield, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days63days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights43nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,835base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 20 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 58 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation59.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 46 °F 68°46° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 72 °F 91°72° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.44 in precipitation 5.4 JanFebruary: 6.14 in precipitation 6.1 FebMarch: 5.74 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 5.20 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 5.46 in precipitation 5.5 JulAugust: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 NovDecember: 5.72 in precipitation 5.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Alabaster Shelby Co. Airport, AL (14 mi away); precipitation: Montevallo, AL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35035

What planting zone is ZIP code 35035?

ZIP code 35035 (Brierfield, AL) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Brierfield, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35035 is March 12; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alabaster Shelby Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Brierfield, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35035 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 248 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35035?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35035 get?

About 59.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montevallo station).

How hot do summers get in Brierfield, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 63 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35035 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Luverne at the center of ZIP 35035: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Brierfield, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35035 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Brierfield, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35035 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.