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

Planting zone for 36526 — Daphne, AL

ZIP code 36526 (Daphne, Baldwin County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost November 19.

Where ZIP 36526 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 15

First frostNov 19

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Daphne, 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 Daphne, 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 2only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season251 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Fairhope 3 Ne, AL — 4 miles away, elevation 95 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 36526

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 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 15) 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 36526 came on Jan 11 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
Jan 11

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 9a in Alabama

582 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Daphne, AL.

Soil in Daphne, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36526 is Grady — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Grady soils.

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 36526; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Daphne, AL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low39 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights30nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,191base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation69.2 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: Fairhope 3 Ne, AL (4 mi away); precipitation: Daphne 0.4 Sw, AL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

365599a

Montrose, AL · 4 mi

365779a

Spanish Fort, AL · 5 mi

365279a

Spanish Fort, AL · 6 mi

365519a

Loxley, AL · 7 mi

365769a

Silverhill, AL · 9 mi

Point Clear, AL · 10 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36526

What planting zone is ZIP code 36526?

ZIP code 36526 (Daphne, AL) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Daphne, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36526 is March 15; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairhope 3 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Daphne, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36526 is November 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 251 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36526?

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 36526 get?

About 69.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Daphne 0.4 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Daphne, AL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36526 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Grady at the center of ZIP 36526: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Daphne, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36526 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Daphne, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36526 is 14 h 08 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36526 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36526 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.