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

Planting zone for 36250 — Alexandria, AL

ZIP code 36250 (Alexandria, Calhoun County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 36250 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 23
First frostNov 9
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Anniston Metro Airport, AL — 12 miles away, elevation 594 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 36250

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Mar 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 23) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 36250 came on Feb 16 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

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).

Native plants for zone 8a in Alabama

550 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 83

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 125

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 171

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 148

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Alexandria, AL.

Soil in Alexandria, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36250 is Decatur — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Decatur and Cumberland clay loams, 6 to 10 percent slopes, severely eroded.

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 36250; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alexandria, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days60days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,472base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation53.7 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 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 71 °F 90°71° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F 90°70° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.93 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.9 JanFebruary: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 FebMarch: 5.47 in precipitation 5.5 MarApril: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Anniston Metro Airport, AL (12 mi away); precipitation: Jacksonville, AL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

362028a
Anniston, AL · 3 mi
362048a
Anniston, AL · 3 mi
362538a
Bynum, AL · 3 mi
362578a
De Armanville, AL · 3 mi
362778a
Weaver, AL · 5 mi
362068a
Anniston, AL · 5 mi
362718a
Ohatchee, AL · 7 mi
362798a
Wellington, AL · 7 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36250

What planting zone is ZIP code 36250?

ZIP code 36250 (Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36250 is March 23; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Anniston Metro Airport station.

When is the first frost in Alexandria, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36250 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36250?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 26 – Feb 9 and set transplants outside around Mar 30 – Apr 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36250 get?

About 53.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jacksonville station).

How hot do summers get in Alexandria, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 60 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36250 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Decatur at the center of ZIP 36250: clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Alexandria, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36250 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alexandria, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 36250 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 36250 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36250 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.