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

Planting zone for 36272 — Piedmont, AL

ZIP code 36272 (Piedmont, Calhoun County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 36272 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 frostApr 6
First frostOct 31
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 Piedmont, 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 Piedmont, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 18
Growing season207 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Centre, AL — 15 miles away, elevation 600 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 36272

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 36272 came on Feb 17 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

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 Piedmont, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36272 is Lehew — channery loam, well drained.

TextureChannery loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lehew-montevallo soils, 2 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 36272; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Piedmont, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days55days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights77nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,626base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 53 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 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° JanFebruary: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 67 °F 90°67° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° 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: Centre, AL (15 mi away); precipitation: Jacksonville, AL (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

362758a
Spring Garden, AL · 4 mi
301388a
Esom Hill, GA · 12 mi
362658a
Jacksonville, AL · 13 mi
359608a
Centre, AL · 13 mi
362628a
Fruithurst, AL · 13 mi
359038a
Gadsden, AL · 15 mi
362798a
Wellington, AL · 17 mi
362618a
Edwardsville, AL · 17 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36272

What planting zone is ZIP code 36272?

ZIP code 36272 (Piedmont, 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 Piedmont, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36272 is April 6; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Centre station.

When is the first frost in Piedmont, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36272 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 207 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36272?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36272 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Piedmont, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 55 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36272 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lehew at the center of ZIP 36272: channery loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Piedmont, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36272 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Piedmont, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 36272 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 36272 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36272 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.