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

Planting zone for 36427 — Brewton, AL

ZIP code 36427 (Brewton, Escambia County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 36427 is

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 15

First frostNov 15

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 Brewton, 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 Brewton, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season246 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around November 30.

From the NOAA station Brewton 3 Ene, AL — 3 miles away, elevation 161 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 36427

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 15) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 36427 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 Brewton, AL.

Soil in Brewton, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36427 is Benndale — 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 matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Benndale fine sandy loam, 2 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 36427; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brewton, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days79days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights45nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,025base 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

Precipitation72.2 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: Brewton 3 Ene, AL (3 mi away); precipitation: Brewton 3 Ene, AL (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Castleberry, AL · 14 mi

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

Questions about 36427

What planting zone is ZIP code 36427?

ZIP code 36427 (Brewton, 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 Brewton, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36427 is March 15; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brewton 3 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Brewton, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36427 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 246 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36427?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 18 – Feb 1 and set transplants outside around Mar 22 – Apr 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36427 get?

About 72.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brewton 3 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Brewton, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 79 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36427 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Benndale at the center of ZIP 36427: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Brewton, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36427 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 Brewton, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36427 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 36427 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36427 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.