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

Planting zone for 35745 — Estillfork, AL

ZIP code 35745 (Estillfork, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 35745 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 6
First frostOct 29
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 Estillfork, 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 Estillfork, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Winchester 5se, TN — 17 miles away, elevation 942 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 35745

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 35745 came on Feb 20 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

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).

Soil in Estillfork, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35745 is Gorgas — stony sandy loam, well drained.

TextureStony 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: Rough stony land, Muskingum soil material.

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 35745; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Estillfork, AL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,548base 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
Precipitation62.2 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 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 68 °F 87°68° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.92 in precipitation 5.9 JanFebruary: 5.59 in precipitation 5.6 FebMarch: 6.00 in precipitation 6.0 MarApril: 5.39 in precipitation 5.4 AprMay: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 AugSeptember: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 6.62 in precipitation 6.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Winchester 5se, TN (17 mi away); precipitation: Woodville 8.0 Nne, AL (14 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.

373457b
Huntland, TN · 5 mi
357667b
Princeton, AL · 9 mi
373067b
Belvidere, TN · 11 mi
357517b
Hollytree, AL · 11 mi
357687b
Scottsboro, AL · 12 mi
373287b
Elora, TN · 12 mi
357748a
Trenton, AL · 13 mi
357467b
Fackler, AL · 13 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35745

What planting zone is ZIP code 35745?

ZIP code 35745 (Estillfork, 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 Estillfork, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35745 is April 6; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winchester 5se station.

When is the first frost in Estillfork, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35745 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35745?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35745 get?

About 62.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Woodville 8.0 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Estillfork, AL?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35745 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gorgas at the center of ZIP 35745: stony sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Estillfork, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35745 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Estillfork, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35745 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35745 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35745 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.