Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 36016 — Clayton, AL

ZIP code 36016 (Clayton, Barbour County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 36016 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 11

First frostNov 19

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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Clayton, AL — 2 miles away, elevation 568 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 36016

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 11) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 36016 came on Feb 11 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
Feb 11

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).

Native plants for zone 8b in Alabama

569 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Clayton, AL.

Soil in Clayton, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36016 is Iuka — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Iuka-Bibb complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 36016; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Clayton, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days73days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights44nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,060base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 14 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation55.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Clayton, AL (2 mi away); precipitation: Clayton, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

360488b

Louisville, AL · 11 mi

Skipperville, AL · 20 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36016

What planting zone is ZIP code 36016?

ZIP code 36016 (Clayton, 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 Clayton, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36016 is March 11; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton station.

When is the first frost in Clayton, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36016 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 254 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36016?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 14 – Jan 28 and set transplants outside around Mar 18 – Apr 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36016 get?

About 55.6 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton station).

How hot do summers get in Clayton, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 73 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36016 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Iuka at the center of ZIP 36016: sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Clayton, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36016 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Clayton, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36016 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36016 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36016 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.