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

Planting zone for 36560 — Mount Vernon, AL

ZIP code 36560 (Mount Vernon, Mobile County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost November 25.

Where ZIP 36560 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 frostFeb 28

First frostNov 25

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 Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 25median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season272 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 12 and returns around December 12.

From the NOAA station Bay Minette, AL — 21 miles away, elevation 272 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 36560

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 30 – Oct 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 11 – Dec 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Nov 25) 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 36560 came on Jan 11 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
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 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 Mount Vernon, AL.

Soil in Mount Vernon, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36560 is Rattlesnake Forks — loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rattlesnake Forks-Blanton complex, 8 to 25 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 36560; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mount Vernon, AL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low41 °Faverage low, January

Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights20nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,695base 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

Precipitation66.4 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: Bay Minette, AL (21 mi away); precipitation: Bay Minette 10.9 N, AL (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Mc Intosh, AL · 11 mi

365218b

Chunchula, AL · 12 mi

365228b

Citronelle, AL · 13 mi

365258b

Creola, AL · 14 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36560

What planting zone is ZIP code 36560?

ZIP code 36560 (Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36560 is February 28; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bay Minette station.

When is the first frost in Mount Vernon, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36560 is November 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 272 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36560?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 3 – Jan 17 and set transplants outside around Mar 7 – Mar 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36560 get?

About 66.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bay Minette 10.9 N station).

How hot do summers get in Mount Vernon, AL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36560 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rattlesnake Forks at the center of ZIP 36560: loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mount Vernon, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36560 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mount Vernon, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36560 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 36560 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36560 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.