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

Planting zone for 35490 — Vance, AL

ZIP code 35490 (Vance, Tuscaloosa County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 11.

Where ZIP 35490 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 20
First frostNov 11
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 Vance, 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 Vance, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 4 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Bankhead L&D, AL — 17 miles away, elevation 279 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 35490

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
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 20) 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 35490 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).

Soil in Vance, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35490 is Montevallo — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Montevallo-Nauvoo association, 10 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 35490; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vance, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days70days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights60nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,589base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 21 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
Precipitation57.1 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 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.59 in precipitation 5.6 JanFebruary: 5.78 in precipitation 5.8 FebMarch: 5.60 in precipitation 5.6 MarApril: 5.13 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 5.31 in precipitation 5.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bankhead L&D, AL (17 mi away); precipitation: W Blocton, AL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

351888b
Woodstock, AL · 5 mi
350748b
Green Pond, AL · 7 mi
354408a
Abernant, AL · 7 mi
354498b
Coaling, AL · 8 mi
354448b
Brookwood, AL · 8 mi
354538b
Cottondale, AL · 9 mi
351848a
West Blocton, AL · 9 mi
351118b
Mc Calla, AL · 10 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35490

What planting zone is ZIP code 35490?

ZIP code 35490 (Vance, 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 Vance, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35490 is March 20; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bankhead L&D station.

When is the first frost in Vance, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35490 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35490?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35490 get?

About 57.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Blocton station).

How hot do summers get in Vance, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 70 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35490 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Montevallo at the center of ZIP 35490: channery loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Vance, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35490 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 Vance, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35490 is 14 h 21 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35490 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35490 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.