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

Planting zone for 36023 — East Tallassee, AL

ZIP code 36023 (East Tallassee, Tallapoosa County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 36023 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 frostApr 11

First frostOct 27

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 East Tallassee, 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 East Tallassee, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Camp Hill 2nw, AL — 9 miles away, elevation 679 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 36023

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 36023 came on Feb 13 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Feb 13

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 East Tallassee, AL.

Soil in East Tallassee, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36023 is Gwinnett — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gwinnett-Agricola complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 36023; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in East Tallassee, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days63days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights86nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,916base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation52.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Camp Hill 2nw, AL (9 mi away); precipitation: Dadeville 2, AL (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

368538a

Dadeville, AL · 2 mi

368618a

Jacksons Gap, AL · 7 mi

368508a

Camp Hill, AL · 9 mi

350108a

Alexander City, AL · 11 mi

Alexander City, AL · 16 mi

360248b

Eclectic, AL · 17 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36023

What planting zone is ZIP code 36023?

ZIP code 36023 (East Tallassee, 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 East Tallassee, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36023 is April 11; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Camp Hill 2nw station.

When is the first frost in East Tallassee, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36023 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36023?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36023 get?

About 52.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dadeville 2 station).

How hot do summers get in East Tallassee, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 63 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36023 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gwinnett at the center of ZIP 36023: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in East Tallassee, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36023 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in East Tallassee, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 36023 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 36023 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36023 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.