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

Planting zone for 36572 — Satsuma, AL

ZIP code 36572 (Satsuma, Mobile County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is February 21 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 36572 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 21

First frostDec 6

2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Satsuma, 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 Satsuma, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 15

Growing season292 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 2 and returns around December 30.

From the NOAA station Mobile Dwtn Airport, AL — 16 miles away, elevation 26 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 36572

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 21) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 36572 came on Jan 16 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28).

average
Jan 282026
Jan 16

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 Satsuma, AL.

Soil in Satsuma, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36572 is Benndale — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Benndale-Urban land complex, 0 to 8 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 36572; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Satsuma, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days73days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights15nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,192base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 09 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation68.9 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: Mobile Dwtn Airport, AL (16 mi away); precipitation: Mobile 5.0 Wnw, AL (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

6 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Eight Mile, AL · 8 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36572

What planting zone is ZIP code 36572?

ZIP code 36572 (Satsuma, 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 Satsuma, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36572 is February 21; after March 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mobile Dwtn Airport station.

When is the first frost in Satsuma, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36572 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 292 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36572?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 27 – Jan 10 and set transplants outside around Feb 28 – Mar 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36572 get?

About 68.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mobile 5.0 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Satsuma, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 73 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36572 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Benndale at the center of ZIP 36572: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Satsuma, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36572 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Satsuma, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36572 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.