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

Planting zone for 36003 — Autaugaville, AL

ZIP code 36003 (Autaugaville, Autauga County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 36003 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 21
First frostNov 7
2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Autaugaville, 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 Autaugaville, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 25
Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Selma 6 Sse, AL — 16 miles away, elevation 157 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 36003

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 36003 came on Feb 10 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

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 Autaugaville, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36003 is Norfolk — loamy fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains 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%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Norfolk loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 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 36003; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Autaugaville, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days75days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights50nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,742base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation55.5 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 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° MarApril: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 59 °F 84°59° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.60 in precipitation 5.6 JanFebruary: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 FebMarch: 5.81 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 5.43 in precipitation 5.4 JulAugust: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 NovDecember: 5.44 in precipitation 5.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Selma 6 Sse, AL (16 mi away); precipitation: Jones Bluff L&D, AL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

367498b
Jones, AL · 10 mi
360088b
Booth, AL · 10 mi
367038b
Selma, AL · 11 mi
360678b
Prattville, AL · 11 mi
367528b
Lowndesboro, AL · 12 mi
367858b
Tyler, AL · 13 mi
360068b
Billingsley, AL · 14 mi
360688b
Prattville, AL · 16 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36003

What planting zone is ZIP code 36003?

ZIP code 36003 (Autaugaville, AL) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Autaugaville, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36003 is March 21; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Selma 6 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Autaugaville, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36003 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36003?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36003 get?

About 55.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jones Bluff L&D station).

How hot do summers get in Autaugaville, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 75 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36003 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Norfolk at the center of ZIP 36003: loamy fine sand, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Autaugaville, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36003 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Autaugaville, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36003 is 14 h 17 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36003 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36003 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.