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

Planting zone for 35740 — Bridgeport, AL

ZIP code 35740 (Bridgeport, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 35740 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 7

First frostOct 31

2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bridgeport, 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 Bridgeport, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Bridgeport 5 Nw, AL — 2 miles away, elevation 663 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 35740

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

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 7) 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 35740 came on Feb 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
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 Bridgeport, AL.

Soil in Bridgeport, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35740 is Muskingum (Gorgas) — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Muskingum (Gorgas) fine sandy loam, 10 to 20 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 35740; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bridgeport, AL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights79nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,459base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 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

Precipitation60.2 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: Bridgeport 5 Nw, AL (2 mi away); precipitation: Bridgeport 5 Nw, 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.

373807b

South Pittsburg, TN · 7 mi

359587b

Bryant, AL · 8 mi

357727b

Stevenson, AL · 10 mi

Flat Rock, AL · 12 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35740

What planting zone is ZIP code 35740?

ZIP code 35740 (Bridgeport, 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 Bridgeport, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35740 is April 7; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgeport 5 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Bridgeport, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35740 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35740?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35740 get?

About 60.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgeport 5 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Bridgeport, AL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35740 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Muskingum (Gorgas) at the center of ZIP 35740: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Bridgeport, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35740 came on Feb 20 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bridgeport, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35740 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35740 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35740 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.