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

Planting zone for 36763 — Myrtlewood, AL

ZIP code 36763 (Myrtlewood, Marengo County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 36763 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 16
First frostNov 14
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 Myrtlewood, 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 Myrtlewood, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Demopolis L&D, AL — 18 miles away, elevation 102 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 36763

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 36763 came on Feb 10 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

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 Myrtlewood, AL.

Soil in Myrtlewood, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36763 is Cahaba — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cahaba fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 36763; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Myrtlewood, AL

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low34 °Faverage low, January
Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,813base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation56.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 37 °F 61°37° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 60 °F 84°60° MayJune: average high 90 °F, low 68 °F 90°68° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 71 °F 92°71° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.66 in precipitation 5.7 JanFebruary: 5.45 in precipitation 5.5 FebMarch: 5.75 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.8 MarApril: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 5.03 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 5.39 in precipitation 5.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Demopolis L&D, AL (18 mi away); precipitation: Demopolis L&D, AL (18 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36763

What planting zone is ZIP code 36763?

ZIP code 36763 (Myrtlewood, 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 Myrtlewood, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36763 is March 16; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Demopolis L&D station.

When is the first frost in Myrtlewood, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36763 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 241 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36763?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36763 get?

About 56.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Demopolis L&D station).

How hot do summers get in Myrtlewood, AL?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36763 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cahaba at the center of ZIP 36763: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Myrtlewood, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36763 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Myrtlewood, AL?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 36763 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 36763 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 36763 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.