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

Planting zone for 35542 — Bankston, AL

ZIP code 35542 (Bankston, Fayette County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 35542 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 20
First frostNov 9
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 Bankston, 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 Bankston, 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 9median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Fayette, AL — 7 miles away, elevation 358 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 35542

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 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 35542 came on Feb 16 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (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).

Soil in Bankston, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35542 is Smithdale — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.6strongly 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: Smithdale fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 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 35542; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bankston, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days72days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,555base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 55 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation61.5 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 34 °F 55°34° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 69 °F 91°69° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 JanFebruary: 5.48 in precipitation 5.5 FebMarch: 5.79 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 6.02 in precipitation 6.0 AprMay: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 5.64 in precipitation 5.6 JulAugust: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 4.81 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 6.11 in precipitation 6.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fayette, AL (7 mi away); precipitation: Berry 3 Nw, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

355558a
Fayette, AL · 8 mi
355468a
Berry, AL · 10 mi
355498a
Carbon Hill, AL · 11 mi
355548a
Eldridge, AL · 13 mi
355878a
Townley, AL · 14 mi
355597b
Glen Allen, AL · 15 mi
355458a
Belk, AL · 15 mi
355738a
Kansas, AL · 16 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35542

What planting zone is ZIP code 35542?

ZIP code 35542 (Bankston, 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 Bankston, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35542 is March 20; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fayette station.

When is the first frost in Bankston, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35542 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 234 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35542?

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 35542 get?

About 61.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Berry 3 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Bankston, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 72 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35542 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Smithdale at the center of ZIP 35542: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bankston, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35542 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bankston, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35542 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35542 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35542 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.