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

Planting zone for 35543 — Bear Creek, AL

ZIP code 35543 (Bear Creek, Marion County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 35543 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostMar 29

First frostNov 9

2012 zone7b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bear Creek, 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 Bear Creek, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Haleyville, AL — 7 miles away, elevation 919 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 35543

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

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 29) 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 35543 came on Feb 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

average
Feb 162026
Feb 17

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 7b in Alabama

526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Bear Creek, AL.

Soil in Bear Creek, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35543 is Smithdale — 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 matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Smithdale-Luverne association, 12 to 35 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 35543; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bear Creek, AL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights57nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,133base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation66.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

355647b

Hackleburg, AL · 6 mi

355518a

Delmar, AL · 9 mi

355818a

Phil Campbell, AL · 11 mi

355487b

Brilliant, AL · 11 mi

355657b

Haleyville, AL · 11 mi

355777b

Natural Bridge, AL · 12 mi

355707b

Hamilton, AL · 14 mi

355858a

Spruce Pine, AL · 15 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35543

What planting zone is ZIP code 35543?

ZIP code 35543 (Bear Creek, AL) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Bear Creek, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35543 is March 29; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Haleyville station.

When is the first frost in Bear Creek, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35543 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35543?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 1 – Feb 15 and set transplants outside around Apr 5 – Apr 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35543 get?

About 66.1 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Haleyville station).

How hot do summers get in Bear Creek, AL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35543 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Smithdale at the center of ZIP 35543: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bear Creek, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35543 came on Feb 17 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bear Creek, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35543 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.