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

Planting zone for 36442 — Florala, AL

ZIP code 36442 (Florala, Covington County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost November 26.

Where ZIP 36442 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 4

First frostNov 26

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 Florala, 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 Florala, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 26median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season265 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 15 and returns around December 13.

From the NOAA station Florala Municipal Airport, AL — 4 miles away, elevation 315 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 36442

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 1 – Oct 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 12 – Dec 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 4) and first fall frost (Nov 26) 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 36442 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 Florala, AL.

Soil in Florala, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36442 is Dorovan — mucky peat, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer

pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter50%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dorovan muck, 0 to 1 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 36442; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Florala, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low41 °Faverage low, January

Hot days97days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights21nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,728base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation59.8 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: Florala Municipal Airport, AL (4 mi away); precipitation: Florala Municipal Airport, AL (4 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.

Laurel Hill, FL · 12 mi

364208b

Andalusia, AL · 13 mi

Defuniak Springs, FL · 19 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36442

What planting zone is ZIP code 36442?

ZIP code 36442 (Florala, 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 Florala, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36442 is March 4; after March 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Florala Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Florala, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36442 is November 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 265 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36442?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 7 – Jan 21 and set transplants outside around Mar 11 – Mar 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36442 get?

About 59.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Florala Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Florala, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 97 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36442 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dorovan at the center of ZIP 36442: mucky peat, very poorly drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Florala, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36442 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 Florala, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36442 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 36442 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36442 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.