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

Planting zone for 35482 — Samantha, AL

ZIP code 35482 (Samantha, Tuscaloosa County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 35482 is

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 18
First frostNov 10
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 Samantha, 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 Samantha, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Northport 2 S, AL — 11 miles away, elevation 151 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 35482

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 35482 came on Feb 14 — 6 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

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 125

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 171

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 148

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Samantha, AL.

Soil in Samantha, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35482 is Ruston — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ruston fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 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 35482; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Samantha, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,833base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 57 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.8 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 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 68 °F 90°68° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 JanFebruary: 5.49 in precipitation 5.5 FebMarch: 4.77 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.8 MarApril: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Northport 2 S, AL (11 mi away); precipitation: Holt L&D, AL (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

354028b
Tuscaloosa, AL · <1 mi
354078a
Tuscaloosa, AL · <1 mi
354788b
Peterson, AL · <1 mi
354068a
Tuscaloosa, AL · 2 mi
354048b
Tuscaloosa, AL · 7 mi
354738b
Northport, AL · 8 mi
354038b
Tuscaloosa, AL · 8 mi
354878b
Tuscaloosa, AL · 8 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35482

What planting zone is ZIP code 35482?

ZIP code 35482 (Samantha, 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 Samantha, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35482 is March 18; after April 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Northport 2 S station.

When is the first frost in Samantha, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35482 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35482?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35482 get?

About 51.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holt L&D station).

How hot do summers get in Samantha, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 89 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35482 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ruston at the center of ZIP 35482: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Samantha, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35482 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Samantha, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35482 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35482 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35482 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.