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

Planting zone for 35959 — Cedar Bluff, AL

ZIP code 35959 (Cedar Bluff, Cherokee County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 35959 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 6
First frostOct 31
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 Cedar Bluff, 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 Cedar Bluff, 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 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season207 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Centre, AL — 8 miles away, elevation 600 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 35959

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 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 6) 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 35959 came on Feb 17 — 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).

Soil in Cedar Bluff, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35959 is Leesburg — gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Leesburg gravelly fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 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 35959; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cedar Bluff, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days55days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights77nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,626base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation57.1 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 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 67 °F 90°67° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.19 in precipitation 5.2 JanFebruary: 5.54 in precipitation 5.5 FebMarch: 5.62 in precipitation 5.6 MarApril: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 5.32 in precipitation 5.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Centre, AL (8 mi away); precipitation: Centre, AL (8 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.

359738a
Gaylesville, AL · 7 mi
359608a
Centre, AL · 8 mi
359838a
Leesburg, AL · 10 mi
359677b
Fort Payne, AL · 12 mi
307308a
Lyerly, GA · 14 mi
359618a
Collinsville, AL · 14 mi
301248a
Cave Spring, GA · 17 mi
301658a
Rome, GA · 18 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35959

What planting zone is ZIP code 35959?

ZIP code 35959 (Cedar Bluff, 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 Cedar Bluff, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35959 is April 6; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Centre station.

When is the first frost in Cedar Bluff, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35959 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 207 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35959?

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 35959 get?

About 57.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Centre station).

How hot do summers get in Cedar Bluff, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 55 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35959 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leesburg at the center of ZIP 35959: gravelly fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cedar Bluff, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35959 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 Cedar Bluff, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35959 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35959 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35959 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.