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

Planting zone for 36045 — Kent, AL

ZIP code 36045 (Kent, Elmore County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 36045 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 25
First frostNov 8
2012 zone8a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Kent, 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 Kent, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 26
Growing season228 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Milstead, AL — 12 miles away, elevation 217 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 36045

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 36045 came on Feb 12 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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 Kent, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36045 is Gilead — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gilead sandy loam.

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 36045; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kent, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days66days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,465base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation55.9 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 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F 90°70° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.53 in precipitation 5.5 JanFebruary: 5.67 in precipitation 5.7 FebMarch: 5.97 in precipitation 6.0 MarApril: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 5.60 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Milstead, AL (12 mi away); precipitation: Walnut Hill 3 W, AL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

360788b
Tallassee, AL · 5 mi
360248b
Eclectic, AL · 6 mi
360938b
Wetumpka, AL · 14 mi
368668b
Notasulga, AL · 14 mi
360928b
Wetumpka, AL · 14 mi
360238b
East Tallassee, AL · 15 mi
360268a
Equality, AL · 15 mi
368538a
Dadeville, AL · 17 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36045

What planting zone is ZIP code 36045?

ZIP code 36045 (Kent, AL) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Kent, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36045 is March 25; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milstead station.

When is the first frost in Kent, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36045 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 228 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36045?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36045 get?

About 55.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walnut Hill 3 W station).

How hot do summers get in Kent, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 66 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36045 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gilead at the center of ZIP 36045: sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kent, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36045 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kent, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36045 is 14 h 18 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.