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

Planting zone for 36420 — Andalusia, AL

ZIP code 36420 (Andalusia, Covington County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 36420 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 25

First frostNov 9

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 Andalusia, 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 Andalusia, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Andalusia 3 W, AL — 9 miles away, elevation 249 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 36420

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 25) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 36420 came on Jan 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
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 Andalusia, AL.

Soil in Andalusia, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36420 is Dothan — sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dothan and Malbis sandy loams, 1 to 5 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 36420; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Andalusia, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days80days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,889base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 10 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

Precipitation60.3 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: Andalusia 3 W, AL (9 mi away); precipitation: Andalusia 3 W, AL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

364218b

Andalusia, AL · 11 mi

364838b

Wing, AL · 12 mi

364768b

River Falls, AL · 12 mi

Red Level, AL · 18 mi

364678b

Opp, AL · 19 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Andalusia → · Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36420

What planting zone is ZIP code 36420?

ZIP code 36420 (Andalusia, 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 Andalusia, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36420 is March 25; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Andalusia 3 W station.

When is the first frost in Andalusia, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36420 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36420?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36420 get?

About 60.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Andalusia 3 W station).

How hot do summers get in Andalusia, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 80 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36420 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dothan at the center of ZIP 36420: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Andalusia, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36420 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 Andalusia, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36420 is 14 h 10 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36420 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36420 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.