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

Planting zone for 35617 — Cloverdale, AL

ZIP code 35617 (Cloverdale, Lauderdale County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 35617 is

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 27

First frostNov 3

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 Cloverdale, 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 Cloverdale, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season220 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 12 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL — 14 miles away, elevation 532 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 35617

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 35617 came on Feb 20 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17).

average
Feb 172026
Feb 20

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 Cloverdale, AL.

Soil in Cloverdale, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35617 is Bodine — gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bodine gravelly silt loam, 12 to 30 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 35617; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cloverdale, AL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days55days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights62nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,886base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation59.8 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: Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL (14 mi away); precipitation: Cloverdale 6.6 Wsw, AL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Cypress Inn, TN · 10 mi

Iron City, TN · 12 mi

356608a

Sheffield, AL · 13 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35617

What planting zone is ZIP code 35617?

ZIP code 35617 (Cloverdale, 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 Cloverdale, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35617 is March 27; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Muscle Shoals 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Cloverdale, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35617 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 220 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35617?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 30 – Feb 13 and set transplants outside around Apr 3 – Apr 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35617 get?

About 59.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cloverdale 6.6 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Cloverdale, AL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 55 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35617 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bodine at the center of ZIP 35617: gravelly silt loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cloverdale, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35617 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cloverdale, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35617 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.