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

Planting zone for 35661 — Muscle Shoals, AL

ZIP code 35661 (Muscle Shoals, Colbert County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 35661 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 20
First frostNov 8
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 Muscle Shoals, 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 Muscle Shoals, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 25
Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Muscle Shoals Regional Airport, AL — 2 miles away, elevation 541 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 35661

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 35661 came on Feb 18 — 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 Muscle Shoals, AL.

Soil in Muscle Shoals, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35661 is Guthrie — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Guthrie silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 35661; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Muscle Shoals, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights56nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,528base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation54.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JanFebruary: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 FebMarch: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 5.05 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 5.48 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Muscle Shoals Regional Airport, AL (2 mi away); precipitation: Muscle Shoals Regional Airport, AL (2 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.

356628a
Muscle Shoals, AL · 6 mi
356468a
Leighton, AL · 6 mi
356308a
Florence, AL · 7 mi
356328a
Florence, AL · 7 mi
356608a
Sheffield, AL · 8 mi
356458a
Killen, AL · 10 mi
356318a
Florence, AL · 11 mi
356347b
Florence, AL · 11 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Muscle Shoals → · Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35661

What planting zone is ZIP code 35661?

ZIP code 35661 (Muscle Shoals, 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 Muscle Shoals, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35661 is March 20; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Muscle Shoals Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Muscle Shoals, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35661 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35661?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35661 get?

About 54.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Muscle Shoals Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Muscle Shoals, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35661 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Guthrie at the center of ZIP 35661: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Muscle Shoals, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35661 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 Muscle Shoals, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35661 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35661 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35661 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.