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

Planting zone for 35615 — Belle Mina, AL

ZIP code 35615 (Belle Mina, Limestone County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 35615 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 31
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 Belle Mina, 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 Belle Mina, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 19
Growing season214 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 18 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Belle Mina 2 N, AL — 2 miles away, elevation 604 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 35615

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
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 (Mar 31) 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 35615 came on Feb 15 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

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 Belle Mina, AL.

Soil in Belle Mina, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35615 is Abernathy — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Abernathy-Emory silt loams, 0 to 2 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 35615; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Belle Mina, AL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights76nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,709base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation54.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.32 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.3 JanFebruary: 5.13 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 5.1❄1 FebMarch: 5.08 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 5.1 MarApril: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 5.92 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Belle Mina 2 N, AL (2 mi away); precipitation: Belle Mina 2 N, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

356498a
Mooresville, AL · 3 mi
357568a
Madison, AL · 4 mi
356718a
Tanner, AL · 4 mi
358248a
Huntsville, AL · 7 mi
356028a
Decatur, AL · 7 mi
356098a
Decatur, AL · 7 mi
356998a
Decatur, AL · 7 mi
357588a
Madison, AL · 8 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35615

What planting zone is ZIP code 35615?

ZIP code 35615 (Belle Mina, 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 Belle Mina, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35615 is March 31; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belle Mina 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Belle Mina, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35615 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 214 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35615?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35615 get?

About 54.5 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Belle Mina 2 N station).

How hot do summers get in Belle Mina, AL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35615 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Abernathy at the center of ZIP 35615: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Belle Mina, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35615 came on Feb 15 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 Belle Mina, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35615 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35615 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35615 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.