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

Planting zone for 35978 — Henagar, AL

ZIP code 35978 (Henagar, DeKalb 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 30.

Where ZIP 35978 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 30
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 Henagar, 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 Henagar, 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 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Valley Head 1 Ssw, AL — 8 miles away, elevation 1,020 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 35978

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 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 7) 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 35978 came on Feb 20 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

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 Henagar, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 35978 is Cotaco — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cotaco-Barbourville loams.

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 35978; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Henagar, AL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights78nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,344base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation60 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 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.69 in precipitation 5.7 JanFebruary: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 FebMarch: 5.77 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 5.50 in precipitation 5.5 AprMay: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 4.63 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 NovDecember: 6.18 in precipitation 6.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Valley Head 1 Ssw, AL (8 mi away); precipitation: Sylvania 3.4 Ese, AL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

359897b
Valley Head, AL · 6 mi
357657b
Pisgah, AL · 6 mi
359887b
Sylvania, AL · 7 mi
359817b
Ider, AL · 7 mi
357448a
Dutton, AL · 10 mi
359667b
Flat Rock, AL · 11 mi
359868a
Rainsville, AL · 11 mi
359688a
Fort Payne, AL · 12 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 35978

What planting zone is ZIP code 35978?

ZIP code 35978 (Henagar, 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 Henagar, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 35978 is April 7; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valley Head 1 Ssw station.

When is the first frost in Henagar, AL?

The median first fall frost near 35978 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 35978?

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 35978 get?

About 60 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sylvania 3.4 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Henagar, AL?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 35978 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cotaco at the center of ZIP 35978: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Henagar, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 35978 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Henagar, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 35978 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 35978 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 35978 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.