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

Planting zone for 35654 — Russellville, AL

ZIP code 35654 (Russellville, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 35654 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 5

First frostOct 28

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 Russellville, 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 Russellville, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season205 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 23 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Russellville 4 Sse, AL — 6 miles away, elevation 722 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 35654

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 35654 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 Russellville, AL.

Soil in Russellville, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35654 is Barfield — silty clay, well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rock land, limestone.

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 35654; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Russellville, AL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights76nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,602base 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

Precipitation58.7 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: Russellville 4 Sse, AL (6 mi away); precipitation: Russellville 4 Sse, AL (6 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.

356518a

Mount Hope, AL · 8 mi

355818a

Phil Campbell, AL · 11 mi

355858a

Spruce Pine, AL · 13 mi

356468a

Leighton, AL · 14 mi

356537b

Russellville, AL · 14 mi

356748a

Tuscumbia, AL · 14 mi

356728a

Town Creek, AL · 16 mi

356628a

Muscle Shoals, AL · 17 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Russellville → · Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35654

What planting zone is ZIP code 35654?

ZIP code 35654 (Russellville, 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 Russellville, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35654 is April 5; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Russellville 4 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Russellville, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35654 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 205 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35654?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35654 get?

About 58.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Russellville 4 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Russellville, AL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35654 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barfield at the center of ZIP 35654: silty clay, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Russellville, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35654 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 Russellville, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35654 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35654 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35654 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.