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

Planting zone for 36042 — Honoraville, AL

ZIP code 36042 (Honoraville, Crenshaw County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 36042 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 8
First frostNov 20
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 Honoraville, 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 Honoraville, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 4
Growing season256 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 22 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Greenville Crenshaw Airport, AL — 9 miles away, elevation 453 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 36042

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 25 – Oct 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 36042 came on Feb 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

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 Honoraville, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36042 is Malbis — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Malbis fine 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 36042; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Honoraville, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days96days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights31nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,276base 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
Precipitation55.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° FebMarch: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° AprMay: average high 86 °F, low 61 °F 86°61° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 JanFebruary: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 FebMarch: 5.17 in precipitation 5.2 MarApril: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 MayJune: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 JunJuly: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 6.00 in precipitation 6.0 AugSeptember: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 4.29 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 5.32 in precipitation 5.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Greenville Crenshaw Airport, AL (9 mi away); precipitation: Greenville Crenshaw Airport, AL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

360468b
Lapine, AL · 7 mi
360418b
Highland Home, AL · 9 mi
360328b
Fort Deposit, AL · 11 mi
360378b
Greenville, AL · 12 mi
360718b
Rutledge, AL · 12 mi
360498b
Luverne, AL · 13 mi
360628b
Petrey, AL · 15 mi
360478b
Letohatchee, AL · 15 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36042

What planting zone is ZIP code 36042?

ZIP code 36042 (Honoraville, 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 Honoraville, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36042 is March 8; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenville Crenshaw Airport station.

When is the first frost in Honoraville, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36042 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 256 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36042?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 11 – Jan 25 and set transplants outside around Mar 15 – Mar 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36042 get?

About 55.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenville Crenshaw Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Honoraville, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 96 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36042 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Malbis at the center of ZIP 36042: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Honoraville, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36042 came on Feb 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Honoraville, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36042 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 36042 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36042 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.