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

Planting zone for 36263 — Graham, AL

ZIP code 36263 (Graham, Randolph County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 36263 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 28
First frostNov 5
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 Graham, 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 Graham, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 23
Growing season222 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 15 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Carrollton, GA — 19 miles away, elevation 994 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 36263

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 36263 came on Feb 14 — about the same time as 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).

Soil in Graham, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36263 is Ochlockonee — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ochlockonee fine sandy loam (toccoa).

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 36263; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Graham, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights65nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,974base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation55.2 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 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° JanFebruary: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 JanFebruary: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 FebMarch: 5.34 in precipitation 5.3 MarApril: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 5.15 in precipitation 5.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carrollton, GA (19 mi away); precipitation: Carrollton 3.2 Sw, GA (15 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

362738a
Ranburne, AL · 5 mi
362808a
Woodland, AL · 6 mi
301088a
Bowdon, GA · 7 mi
301708a
Roopville, GA · 12 mi
362648a
Heflin, AL · 14 mi
362788a
Wedowee, AL · 14 mi
301828a
Waco, GA · 15 mi
301178a
Carrollton, GA · 15 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36263

What planting zone is ZIP code 36263?

ZIP code 36263 (Graham, 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 Graham, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36263 is March 28; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carrollton station.

When is the first frost in Graham, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36263 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 222 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36263?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36263 get?

About 55.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carrollton 3.2 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Graham, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36263 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ochlockonee at the center of ZIP 36263: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Graham, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36263 came on Feb 14 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Graham, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 36263 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 36263 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36263 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.