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

Planting zone for 36362 — Fort Rucker, AL

ZIP code 36362 (Fort Rucker, Dale County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 36362 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 9

First frostNov 21

2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Fort Rucker, 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 Fort Rucker, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 5

Growing season260 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 22 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station Enterprise 4 W, AL — 14 miles away, elevation 338 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 36362

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 9) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 36362 came on Jan 27 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
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 Fort Rucker, AL.

Soil in Fort Rucker, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36362 is Eustis — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eustis loamy sand, 5 to 12 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 36362; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Rucker, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days72days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,373base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 11 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

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: Enterprise 4 W, AL (14 mi away); precipitation: Enterprise 4 W, AL (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Midland City, AL · 11 mi

363308b

Enterprise, AL · 11 mi

363138b

Bellwood, AL · 14 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36362

What planting zone is ZIP code 36362?

ZIP code 36362 (Fort Rucker, 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 Fort Rucker, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36362 is March 9; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Enterprise 4 W station.

When is the first frost in Fort Rucker, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36362 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 260 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36362?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 12 – Jan 26 and set transplants outside around Mar 16 – Mar 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36362 get?

About 57.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Enterprise 4 W station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Rucker, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 72 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36362 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eustis at the center of ZIP 36362: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fort Rucker, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36362 came on Jan 27 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Rucker, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36362 is 14 h 11 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.