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

Planting zone for 36861 — Jacksons Gap, AL

ZIP code 36861 (Jacksons Gap, Tallapoosa County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 36861 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 26

First frostNov 8

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Jacksons Gap, 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 Jacksons Gap, AL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season227 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 12 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Alexander City, AL — 7 miles away, elevation 640 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 36861

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 36861 came on Feb 13 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

average
Feb 72026
Feb 13

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 8a in Alabama

550 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Alabama, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Jacksons Gap, AL.

Soil in Jacksons Gap, AL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 36861 is Pacolet — gravelly sandy loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly 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 groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pacolet-Rion complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes, moderately eroded, stony.

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 36861; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jacksons Gap, AL

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days62days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,363base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation57 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Alexander City, AL (7 mi away); precipitation: Alexander City, AL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

350108a

Alexander City, AL · 6 mi

360238b

East Tallassee, AL · 7 mi

368538a

Dadeville, AL · 8 mi

350118a

Alexander City, AL · 9 mi

368508a

Camp Hill, AL · 13 mi

Alabama planting zones →

Questions about 36861

What planting zone is ZIP code 36861?

ZIP code 36861 (Jacksons Gap, AL) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Jacksons Gap, AL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 36861 is March 26; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alexander City station.

When is the first frost in Jacksons Gap, AL?

The median first fall frost near 36861 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 227 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 36861?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 36861 get?

About 57 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alexander City station).

How hot do summers get in Jacksons Gap, AL?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 62 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 36861 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pacolet at the center of ZIP 36861: gravelly sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Jacksons Gap, AL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 36861 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jacksons Gap, AL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 36861 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.