Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 36346 — Jack, AL

ZIP code 36346 (Jack, Coffee County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 36346 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 17

First frostNov 16

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 Jack, 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 Jack, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season242 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 29.

From the NOAA station Troy 2 W, AL — 17 miles away, elevation 472 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 36346

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 36346 came on Jan 27 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Jan 27

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 8b in Alabama

569 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Jack, AL.

Soil in Jack, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36346 is Luverne — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Luverne-Lucy association, rolling.

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 36346; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jack, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights40nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,771base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation57.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Troy 2 W, AL (17 mi away); precipitation: Brundidge, AL (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

363518b

New Brockton, AL · 9 mi

360108b

Brundidge, AL · 10 mi

Enterprise, AL · 18 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36346

What planting zone is ZIP code 36346?

ZIP code 36346 (Jack, 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 Jack, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36346 is March 17; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Troy 2 W station.

When is the first frost in Jack, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36346 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 242 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36346?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 20 – Feb 3 and set transplants outside around Mar 24 – Apr 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36346 get?

About 57.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brundidge station).

How hot do summers get in Jack, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36346 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Luverne at the center of ZIP 36346: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Jack, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36346 came on Jan 27 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jack, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36346 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36346 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36346 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.