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

Planting zone for 36473 — Range, AL

ZIP code 36473 (Range, Conecuh County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 36473 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 10
First frostNov 17
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 Range, 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 Range, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season251 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 22 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Evergreen Middleton Field, AL — 12 miles away, elevation 259 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 36473

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 36473 came on Jan 27 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

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.

Trees 83

Shrubs 130

Wildflowers & perennials 176

Grasses 157

Vines 13

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 Range, AL.

Soil in Range, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36473 is Malbis — sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Malbis sandy loam, 1 to 6 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 36473; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Range, AL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low38 °Faverage low, January
Hot days89days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights39nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,617base 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
Precipitation64.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° JanFebruary: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° FebMarch: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° MarApril: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°53° AprMay: average high 87 °F, low 61 °F 87°61° MayJune: average high 92 °F, low 69 °F 92°69° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 72 °F 93°72° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 72 °F 93°72° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.84 in precipitation 5.8 JanFebruary: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 FebMarch: 5.42 in precipitation 5.4 MarApril: 5.54 in precipitation 5.5 AprMay: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 5.66 in precipitation 5.7 JunJuly: 6.62 in precipitation 6.6 JulAugust: 5.88 in precipitation 5.9 AugSeptember: 5.54 in precipitation 5.5 SepOctober: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 5.72 in precipitation 5.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Evergreen Middleton Field, AL (12 mi away); precipitation: Wallace 2 E, AL (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36473

What planting zone is ZIP code 36473?

ZIP code 36473 (Range, 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 Range, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36473 is March 10; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Evergreen Middleton Field station.

When is the first frost in Range, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36473 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36473?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36473 get?

About 64.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wallace 2 E station).

How hot do summers get in Range, AL?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 89 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36473 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Malbis at the center of ZIP 36473: sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Range, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36473 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 Range, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36473 is 14 h 11 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36473 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36473 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.