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

Planting zone for 35572 — Houston, AL

ZIP code 35572 (Houston, Winston County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 35572 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 frostApr 4

First frostNov 1

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 Houston, 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 Houston, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 13.

From the NOAA station Addison, AL — 7 miles away, elevation 817 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 35572

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 35572 came on Feb 18 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

average
Feb 162026
Feb 18

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.

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 Houston, AL.

Soil in Houston, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35572 is Sipsey — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sipsey-Bankhead complex, 15 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 35572; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Houston, AL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights72nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,640base 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

Precipitation62.6 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: Addison, AL (7 mi away); precipitation: Double Springs 3.2 Nne, AL (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

355407b

Addison, AL · 5 mi

355537b

Double Springs, AL · 8 mi

Crane Hill, AL · 16 mi

355657b

Haleyville, AL · 16 mi

356508a

Moulton, AL · 17 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35572

What planting zone is ZIP code 35572?

ZIP code 35572 (Houston, 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 Houston, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35572 is April 4; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Addison station.

When is the first frost in Houston, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35572 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35572?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35572 get?

About 62.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Double Springs 3.2 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Houston, AL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35572 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sipsey at the center of ZIP 35572: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Houston, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35572 came on Feb 18 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 Houston, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35572 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35572 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35572 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.