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

Planting zone for 35975 — Groveoak, AL

ZIP code 35975 (Groveoak, DeKalb County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 35975 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 31
First frostNov 3
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 Groveoak, 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 Groveoak, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Sand Mt Substn, AL — 12 miles away, elevation 1,191 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 35975

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 35975 came on Feb 20 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17).

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 Groveoak, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35975 is Gorgas — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy 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: Gorgas-Hartsells complex, 2 to 6 percent slopes, moderately eroded, rocky.

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 35975; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Groveoak, AL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights65nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,588base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation59 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 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° FebMarch: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.50 in precipitation 5.5 JanFebruary: 5.44 in precipitation 5.4 FebMarch: 5.66 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 6.23 in precipitation 6.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sand Mt Substn, AL (12 mi away); precipitation: Albertville 5.5 N, AL (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

357558a
Langston, AL · 5 mi
359748a
Geraldine, AL · 6 mi
359718a
Fyffe, AL · 7 mi
359518a
Albertville, AL · 8 mi
357718a
Section, AL · 8 mi
359628a
Crossville, AL · 10 mi
359638a
Dawson, AL · 10 mi
357698a
Scottsboro, AL · 11 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35975

What planting zone is ZIP code 35975?

ZIP code 35975 (Groveoak, 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 Groveoak, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35975 is March 31; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sand Mt Substn station.

When is the first frost in Groveoak, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35975 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35975?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 35975 get?

About 59 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Albertville 5.5 N station).

How hot do summers get in Groveoak, AL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35975 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gorgas at the center of ZIP 35975: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Groveoak, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35975 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Groveoak, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35975 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35975 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35975 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.