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

Planting zone for 35136 — Rockford, AL

ZIP code 35136 (Rockford, Coosa County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 35136 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 25
First frostNov 11
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 Rockford, 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 Rockford, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 11 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Rockford 3 Ese, AL — 6 miles away, elevation 600 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 35136

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 35136 came on Feb 13 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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).

Soil in Rockford, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35136 is Madison — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Madison-Louisa complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 35136; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rockford, AL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days46days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights46nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,212base 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
Precipitation60.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F 74°53° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.72 in precipitation 5.7 JanFebruary: 5.79 in precipitation 5.8 FebMarch: 5.93 in precipitation 5.9 MarApril: 5.19 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 JulAugust: 5.07 in precipitation 5.1 AugSeptember: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 NovDecember: 5.48 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rockford 3 Ese, AL (6 mi away); precipitation: Rockford 3 Ese, AL (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

351838a
Weogufka, AL · 10 mi
360268a
Equality, AL · 12 mi
360808b
Titus, AL · 12 mi
350898a
Kellyton, AL · 13 mi
350468a
Clanton, AL · 14 mi
360918b
Verbena, AL · 16 mi
351518a
Sylacauga, AL · 17 mi
360518b
Marbury, AL · 17 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35136

What planting zone is ZIP code 35136?

ZIP code 35136 (Rockford, 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 Rockford, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35136 is March 25; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rockford 3 Ese station.

When is the first frost in Rockford, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35136 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35136?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35136 get?

About 60.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rockford 3 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Rockford, AL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 46 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35136 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Madison at the center of ZIP 35136: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rockford, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35136 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rockford, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35136 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.