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

Planting zone for 36046 — Lapine, AL

ZIP code 36046 (Lapine, Montgomery County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 36046 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 12
First frostNov 18
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 Lapine, 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 Lapine, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Nov 4
Growing season253 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 25 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Highland Home #2, AL — 4 miles away, elevation 554 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 36046

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 18) 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 36046 came on Feb 9 — 7 days later than 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 Lapine, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36046 is Nankin — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nankin-Springhill-Lucy complex, 15 to 35 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 36046; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lapine, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights31nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,004base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 14 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation56.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° MarApril: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 59 °F 84°59° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.34 in precipitation 5.3 JanFebruary: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 FebMarch: 5.62 in precipitation 5.6 MarApril: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 JulAugust: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Highland Home #2, AL (4 mi away); precipitation: Highland Home #2, AL (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

360418b
Highland Home, AL · 3 mi
360428b
Honoraville, AL · 7 mi
360328b
Fort Deposit, AL · 12 mi
360628b
Petrey, AL · 12 mi
360478b
Letohatchee, AL · 13 mi
360368b
Grady, AL · 13 mi
360498b
Luverne, AL · 14 mi
360698b
Ramer, AL · 17 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36046

What planting zone is ZIP code 36046?

ZIP code 36046 (Lapine, 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 Lapine, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36046 is March 12; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Highland Home #2 station.

When is the first frost in Lapine, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36046 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 253 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36046?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36046 get?

About 56.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Highland Home #2 station).

How hot do summers get in Lapine, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36046 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nankin at the center of ZIP 36046: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lapine, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36046 came on Feb 9 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lapine, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36046 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 36046 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36046 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.