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

Planting zone for 36061 — Perote, AL

ZIP code 36061 (Perote, Bullock County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 36061 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 frostMar 25
First frostNov 6
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 Perote, 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 Perote, 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 6median — 10% chance by Oct 24
Growing season226 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Union Springs 9 S, AL — 6 miles away, elevation 440 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 36061

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 11 – Sep 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 36061 came on Feb 10 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

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 Perote, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36061 is Mantachie — clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mantachie, Iuka, and Bibb soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 36061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Perote, AL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days54days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights61nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,478base 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
Precipitation57.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 JanFebruary: 4.72 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.7 FebMarch: 5.47 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.5 MarApril: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.91 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 5.90 in precipitation 5.9 JulAugust: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 AugSeptember: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 NovDecember: 5.23 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.2 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

360898b
Union Springs, AL · 4 mi
360318b
Fort Davis, AL · 11 mi
360058b
Banks, AL · 14 mi
360298b
Fitzpatrick, AL · 15 mi
360398b
Hardaway, AL · 15 mi
360538b
Midway, AL · 15 mi
360818b
Troy, AL · 17 mi
360838b
Tuskegee, AL · 20 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36061

What planting zone is ZIP code 36061?

ZIP code 36061 (Perote, 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 Perote, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36061 is March 25; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Union Springs 9 S station.

When is the first frost in Perote, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36061 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 226 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36061?

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 36061 get?

About 57.2 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Union Springs 9 S station).

How hot do summers get in Perote, AL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 54 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mantachie at the center of ZIP 36061: clay loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Perote, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36061 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Perote, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36061 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 36061 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36061 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.