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

Planting zone for 36053 — Midway, AL

ZIP code 36053 (Midway, Bullock County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 36053 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 11
First frostNov 19
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 Midway, 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 Midway, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Clayton, AL — 12 miles away, elevation 568 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 36053

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 11) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 36053 came on Feb 11 — 8 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 Midway, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36053 is Luverne — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Luverne-Blanton-Cowarts complex, 15 to 45 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 36053; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Midway, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days73days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights44nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,060base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 15 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
Precipitation53 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 71 °F 90°71° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 40 °F 60°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 JanFebruary: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 FebMarch: 5.76 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Clayton, AL (12 mi away); precipitation: Midway, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

360168b
Clayton, AL · 13 mi
360618b
Perote, AL · 15 mi
368608b
Hurtsboro, AL · 16 mi
360278b
Eufaula, AL · 16 mi
360898b
Union Springs, AL · 17 mi
360488b
Louisville, AL · 18 mi
368718b
Pittsview, AL · 19 mi
360058b
Banks, AL · 20 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36053

What planting zone is ZIP code 36053?

ZIP code 36053 (Midway, 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 Midway, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36053 is March 11; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clayton station.

When is the first frost in Midway, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36053 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 254 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36053?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 14 – Jan 28 and set transplants outside around Mar 18 – Apr 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36053 get?

About 53 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Midway station).

How hot do summers get in Midway, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 73 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36053 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Luverne at the center of ZIP 36053: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Midway, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36053 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Midway, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36053 is 14 h 15 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36053 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36053 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.