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

Planting zone for 36353 — Newville, AL

ZIP code 36353 (Newville, Henry County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost November 24.

Where ZIP 36353 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 5

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 Newville, 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 Newville, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 6

Growing season264 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 19 and returns around December 9.

From the NOAA station Headland, AL — 8 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 36353

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

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 5) 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 36353 came on Feb 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
Feb 1

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 Newville, AL.

Soil in Newville, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36353 is Muckalee — sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Muckalee sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 36353; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Newville, AL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days90days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,512base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation56.7 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: Headland, AL (8 mi away); precipitation: Headland, AL (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

363459a

Headland, AL · 8 mi

363748b

Skipperville, AL · 11 mi

363178b

Clopton, AL · 11 mi

363108b

Abbeville, AL · 12 mi

363509a

Midland City, AL · 12 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36353

What planting zone is ZIP code 36353?

ZIP code 36353 (Newville, 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 Newville, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36353 is March 5; after March 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Headland station.

When is the first frost in Newville, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36353 is November 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 264 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36353?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 8 – Jan 22 and set transplants outside around Mar 12 – Mar 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36353 get?

About 56.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Headland station).

How hot do summers get in Newville, AL?

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

What kind of soil does 36353 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Muckalee at the center of ZIP 36353: sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Newville, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36353 came on Feb 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Newville, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36353 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 36353 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36353 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.