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

Planting zone for 35148 — Sumiton, AL

ZIP code 35148 (Sumiton, Walker County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 35148 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 30
First frostNov 4
2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Sumiton, 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 Sumiton, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season220 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Jasper, AL — 19 miles away, elevation 486 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 35148

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 35148 came on Feb 14 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

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 Sumiton, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35148 is Sunlight — 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 matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sunlight-Townley-Urban land complex, 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 35148; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sumiton, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, January
Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights73nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,028base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation65.7 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 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F 90°70° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.95 in precipitation 6.0 JanFebruary: 6.37 in precipitation 6.4 FebMarch: 6.82 in precipitation 6.8 MarApril: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 AprMay: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 5.60 in precipitation 5.6 JunJuly: 5.79 in precipitation 5.8 JulAugust: 5.47 in precipitation 5.5 AugSeptember: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 NovDecember: 5.97 in precipitation 6.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jasper, AL (19 mi away); precipitation: Dora, AL (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

350628a
Dora, AL · 3 mi
350388a
Burnwell, AL · 4 mi
350638a
Empire, AL · 5 mi
355848a
Sipsey, AL · 5 mi
351398a
Sayre, AL · 5 mi
355508a
Cordova, AL · 7 mi
350738a
Graysville, AL · 8 mi
351308a
Quinton, AL · 10 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35148

What planting zone is ZIP code 35148?

ZIP code 35148 (Sumiton, 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 Sumiton, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35148 is March 30; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jasper station.

When is the first frost in Sumiton, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35148 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 220 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35148?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 2 – Feb 16 and set transplants outside around Apr 6 – Apr 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35148 get?

About 65.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dora station).

How hot do summers get in Sumiton, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 58 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35148 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sunlight at the center of ZIP 35148: channery silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sumiton, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35148 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sumiton, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35148 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35148 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35148 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.