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

Planting zone for 36352 — Newton, AL

ZIP code 36352 (Newton, Dale County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost November 24.

Where ZIP 36352 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 1
First frostNov 24
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 Newton, 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 Newton, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 7
Growing season270 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 12 and returns around December 16.

From the NOAA station Dothan Regional Airport, AL — 10 miles away, elevation 371 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 36352

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 29 – Oct 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 10 – Dec 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Nov 24) 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 36352 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

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 Newton, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36352 is Lucy — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lucy-Troup complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes.

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 36352; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Newton, AL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low40 °Faverage low, January
Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights21nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,792base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 11 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 07 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation53.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° JanFebruary: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° AprMay: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 73 °F 93°73° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 JanFebruary: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 FebMarch: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 MayJune: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 5.95 in precipitation 6.0 JulAugust: 6.17 in precipitation 6.2 AugSeptember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dothan Regional Airport, AL (10 mi away); precipitation: Dothan Regional Airport, AL (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

363719a
Pinckard, AL · 6 mi
363628b
Fort Rucker, AL · 7 mi
363228b
Daleville, AL · 7 mi
363059a
Dothan, AL · 8 mi
363509a
Midland City, AL · 9 mi
363138b
Bellwood, AL · 12 mi
363448b
Hartford, AL · 13 mi
363039a
Dothan, AL · 13 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36352

What planting zone is ZIP code 36352?

ZIP code 36352 (Newton, 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 Newton, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36352 is March 1; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dothan Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Newton, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36352 is November 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 270 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36352?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 4 – Jan 18 and set transplants outside around Mar 8 – Mar 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36352 get?

About 53.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dothan Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Newton, AL?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 89 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36352 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lucy at the center of ZIP 36352: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Newton, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36352 came on Jan 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Newton, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36352 is 14 h 11 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36352 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36352 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.