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

Planting zone for 36703 — Selma, AL

ZIP code 36703 (Selma, Dallas County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 36703 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 8

First frostNov 18

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 Selma, 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 Selma, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 24 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Selma, AL — 6 miles away, elevation 148 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 36703

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Nov 18) 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 36703 came on Feb 10 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
Feb 10

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 Selma, AL.

Soil in Selma, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36703 is Sumter — silty clay, well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sumter silty clay, 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 36703; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Selma, AL

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days81days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights40nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,268base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation54.5 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: Selma, AL (6 mi away); precipitation: Selma, AL (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Autaugaville, AL · 11 mi

367858b

Tyler, AL · 12 mi

367588b

Plantersville, AL · 15 mi

367758b

Sardis, AL · 16 mi

360068b

Billingsley, AL · 18 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Selma → · Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36703

What planting zone is ZIP code 36703?

ZIP code 36703 (Selma, 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 Selma, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36703 is March 8; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Selma station.

When is the first frost in Selma, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36703 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 254 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36703?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 11 – Jan 25 and set transplants outside around Mar 15 – Mar 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36703 get?

About 54.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Selma station).

How hot do summers get in Selma, AL?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 81 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36703 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sumter at the center of ZIP 36703: silty clay, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Selma, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36703 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Selma, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36703 is 14 h 17 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36703 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36703 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.