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

Planting zone for 36271 — Ohatchee, AL

ZIP code 36271 (Ohatchee, Calhoun County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 36271 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 26
First frostNov 4
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 Ohatchee, 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 Ohatchee, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 25
Growing season225 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Talladega 10 Nne, AL — 15 miles away, elevation 525 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 36271

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 36271 came on Feb 16 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

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 Ohatchee, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36271 is Rarden — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rarden silt loam, shallow, 6 to 10 percent slopes, 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 36271; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ohatchee, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights60nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,244base 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
Precipitation59.3 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 33 °F 54°33° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F 90°70° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JanFebruary: 5.42 in precipitation 5.4 FebMarch: 5.62 in precipitation 5.6 MarApril: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 5.94 in precipitation 5.9 JunJuly: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Talladega 10 Nne, AL (15 mi away); precipitation: Ragland 2 Ssw, AL (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

362508a
Alexandria, AL · 7 mi
359078a
Gadsden, AL · 8 mi
359538a
Ashville, AL · 9 mi
362798a
Wellington, AL · 10 mi
362028a
Anniston, AL · 10 mi
362048a
Anniston, AL · 10 mi
362538a
Bynum, AL · 10 mi
362578a
De Armanville, AL · 10 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36271

What planting zone is ZIP code 36271?

ZIP code 36271 (Ohatchee, 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 Ohatchee, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36271 is March 26; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Talladega 10 Nne station.

When is the first frost in Ohatchee, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36271 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 225 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36271?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36271 get?

About 59.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ragland 2 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Ohatchee, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36271 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rarden at the center of ZIP 36271: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ohatchee, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36271 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ohatchee, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 36271 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 36271 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36271 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.