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

Planting zone for 35469 — Knoxville, AL

ZIP code 35469 (Knoxville, Greene County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 35469 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 12

First frostNov 15

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, 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 plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Tuscaloosa Acfd, AL — 18 miles away, elevation 171 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 35469

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 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 35469 came on Feb 12 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Feb 12

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 Knoxville, AL.

Soil in Knoxville, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35469 is Shubuta — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shubuta-Magnolia-Falaya association, hilly.

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 35469; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Knoxville, AL

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days93days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights40nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,349base 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

Precipitation57.4 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: Tuscaloosa Acfd, AL (18 mi away); precipitation: Moundville, AL (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Moundville, AL · 13 mi

Tuscaloosa, AL · 16 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35469

What planting zone is ZIP code 35469?

ZIP code 35469 (Knoxville, AL) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Knoxville, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35469 is March 12; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tuscaloosa Acfd station.

When is the first frost in Knoxville, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35469 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35469?

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 35469 get?

About 57.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moundville station).

How hot do summers get in Knoxville, AL?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 93 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35469 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shubuta at the center of ZIP 35469: sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Knoxville, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35469 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Knoxville, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35469 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35469 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35469 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.