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

Planting zone for 36015 — Chapman, AL

ZIP code 36015 (Chapman, Butler County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 36015 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 28
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 Chapman, 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 Chapman, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 25
Growing season224 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Greenville, AL — 12 miles away, elevation 341 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 36015

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
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 28) 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 36015 came on Jan 27 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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 Chapman, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36015 is Luverne — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy 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%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Luverne sandy loam, 5 to 8 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 36015; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chapman, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days71days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,807base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation60.8 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 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 37 °F 64°37° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 43 °F 71°43° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 49 °F 78°49° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 58 °F 85°58° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 66 °F 90°66° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 69 °F 92°69° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 68 °F 92°68° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 64 °F 88°64° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 52 °F 79°52° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 36 °F 62°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.75 in precipitation 5.8 JanFebruary: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 FebMarch: 6.53 in precipitation 6.5 MarApril: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 5.77 in precipitation 5.8 JunJuly: 5.83 in precipitation 5.8 JulAugust: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 5.77 in precipitation 5.8 SepOctober: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 NovDecember: 5.19 in precipitation 5.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Greenville, AL (12 mi away); precipitation: Georgiana, AL (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

360338b
Georgiana, AL · 3 mi
364568b
Mc Kenzie, AL · 8 mi
360378b
Greenville, AL · 11 mi
364748b
Red Level, AL · 16 mi
360308b
Forest Home, AL · 16 mi
364018b
Evergreen, AL · 17 mi
360718b
Rutledge, AL · 20 mi
360428b
Honoraville, AL · 22 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36015

What planting zone is ZIP code 36015?

ZIP code 36015 (Chapman, 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 Chapman, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36015 is March 28; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenville station.

When is the first frost in Chapman, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36015 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 224 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36015?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36015 get?

About 60.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Georgiana station).

How hot do summers get in Chapman, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 71 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36015 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Luverne at the center of ZIP 36015: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chapman, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36015 came on Jan 27 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chapman, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36015 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36015 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36015 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.