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

Planting zone for 35812 — Huntsville, AL

ZIP code 35812 (Huntsville, Madison County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 35812 is

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 4
First frostOct 30
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 Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Owens Cross Roads 3s, AL — 13 miles away, elevation 591 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 35812

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 35812 came on Feb 17 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

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 Huntsville, AL.

Soil in Huntsville, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35812 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: Rockland, limestone, steep.

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 35812; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Huntsville, AL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days49days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights78nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,600base 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 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 59 °F 84°59° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 JanFebruary: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 MarApril: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 SepOctober: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 5.87 in precipitation 5.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Owens Cross Roads 3s, AL (13 mi away); precipitation: Huntsville 3.7 Ene, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

358078a
Huntsville, AL · <1 mi
358098a
Huntsville, AL · <1 mi
358138a
Huntsville, AL · <1 mi
358148a
Huntsville, AL · <1 mi
358158a
Huntsville, AL · <1 mi
358948a
Huntsville, AL · <1 mi
358978a
Huntsville, AL · <1 mi
358018a
Huntsville, AL · 3 mi

All 23 ZIP codes in Huntsville → · Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35812

What planting zone is ZIP code 35812?

ZIP code 35812 (Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35812 is April 4; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Owens Cross Roads 3s station.

When is the first frost in Huntsville, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35812 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35812?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35812 get?

About 54.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Huntsville 3.7 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Huntsville, AL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 49 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35812 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barfield at the center of ZIP 35812: silty clay, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Huntsville, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35812 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Huntsville, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35812 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35812 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35812 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.