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

Planting zone for 36020 — Coosada, AL

ZIP code 36020 (Coosada, Elmore County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost November 13.

Where ZIP 36020 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 13
First frostNov 13
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 Coosada, 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 Coosada, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 13median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season244 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 27 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Montgomery Airport, AL — 15 miles away, elevation 203 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 36020

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 18 – Oct 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 30 – Dec 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 13) 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 36020 came on Feb 10 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

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 Coosada, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36020 is Izagora — loamy fine sand, moderately well drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Izagora loamy fine sand.

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 36020; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Coosada, AL

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days93days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights37nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,413base 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
Precipitation56.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 61 °F 86°61° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 69 °F 92°69° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 72 °F 94°72° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 71 °F 94°71° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 JanFebruary: 5.30 in precipitation 5.3 FebMarch: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 MarApril: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.92 in precipitation 4.9 JulAugust: 5.07 in precipitation 5.1 AugSeptember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 NovDecember: 5.26 in precipitation 5.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Montgomery Airport, AL (15 mi away); precipitation: Millbrook 1.7 Nw, AL (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

360548b
Millbrook, AL · 3 mi
360258b
Elmore, AL · 4 mi
361108b
Montgomery, AL · 5 mi
360668b
Prattville, AL · 6 mi
361048b
Montgomery, AL · 7 mi
361158b
Montgomery, AL · 7 mi
361018b
Montgomery, AL · 8 mi
361078b
Montgomery, AL · 8 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36020

What planting zone is ZIP code 36020?

ZIP code 36020 (Coosada, 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 Coosada, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36020 is March 13; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montgomery Airport station.

When is the first frost in Coosada, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36020 is November 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 244 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36020?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 16 – Jan 30 and set transplants outside around Mar 20 – Apr 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36020 get?

About 56.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Millbrook 1.7 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Coosada, AL?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 93 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36020 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Izagora at the center of ZIP 36020: loamy fine sand, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Coosada, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36020 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Coosada, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36020 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 36020 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36020 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.