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

Planting zone for 35651 — Mount Hope, AL

ZIP code 35651 (Mount Hope, Lawrence County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 35651 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 2

First frostOct 31

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 Mount Hope, 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 Mount Hope, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season209 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Moulton 2, AL — 11 miles away, elevation 623 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 35651

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 35651 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 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 Mount Hope, AL.

Soil in Mount Hope, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35651 is Decatur — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Decatur silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, 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 35651; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mount Hope, AL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,808base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation60.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Moulton 2, AL (11 mi away); precipitation: Moulton 2, AL (11 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.

356548a

Russellville, AL · 8 mi

356508a

Moulton, AL · 10 mi

356728a

Town Creek, AL · 14 mi

355818a

Phil Campbell, AL · 15 mi

356468a

Leighton, AL · 16 mi

356188a

Courtland, AL · 16 mi

355657b

Haleyville, AL · 16 mi

356198a

Danville, AL · 19 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35651

What planting zone is ZIP code 35651?

ZIP code 35651 (Mount Hope, 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 Mount Hope, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35651 is April 2; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moulton 2 station.

When is the first frost in Mount Hope, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35651 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 209 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35651?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35651 get?

About 60.2 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moulton 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Mount Hope, AL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35651 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Decatur at the center of ZIP 35651: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Mount Hope, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35651 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 Mount Hope, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35651 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35651 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35651 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.