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

Planting zone for 36456 — Mc Kenzie, AL

ZIP code 36456 (Mc Kenzie, Butler County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 36456 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 13

First frostNov 19

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 Mc Kenzie, 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 Mc Kenzie, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 19median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season253 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Evergreen, AL — 11 miles away, elevation 289 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 36456

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 24 – Oct 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 5 – Dec 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 19) 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 36456 came on Jan 27 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
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 Mc Kenzie, AL.

Soil in Mc Kenzie, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36456 is Luverne — sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Luverne sandy loam, 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 36456; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mc Kenzie, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days66days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights40nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,044base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation60.8 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: Evergreen, AL (11 mi away); precipitation: Georgiana, AL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Evergreen, AL · 10 mi

364748b

Red Level, AL · 15 mi

360378b

Greenville, AL · 18 mi

360308b

Forest Home, AL · 19 mi

364298b

Brooklyn, AL · 22 mi

364328b

Castleberry, AL · 22 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36456

What planting zone is ZIP code 36456?

ZIP code 36456 (Mc Kenzie, 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 Mc Kenzie, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36456 is March 13; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Evergreen station.

When is the first frost in Mc Kenzie, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36456 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 253 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36456?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 16 – Jan 30 and set transplants outside around Mar 20 – Apr 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36456 get?

About 60.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Georgiana station).

How hot do summers get in Mc Kenzie, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 66 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36456 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Luverne at the center of ZIP 36456: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mc Kenzie, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36456 came on Jan 27 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mc Kenzie, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36456 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 36456 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36456 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.