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

Planting zone for 73436 — Gene Autry, OK

ZIP code 73436 (Gene Autry, Carter County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 73436 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 18

First frostNov 10

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gene Autry, OK…

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 Gene Autry, OK

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Ardmore 3ene Mesonet, OK — 7 miles away, elevation 873 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 73436

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 4 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 73436 came on Feb 11 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
Feb 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 8a in Oklahoma

525 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Oklahoma, 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 Gene Autry, OK.

Soil in Gene Autry, OK

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 73436 is Steedman — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Steedman clay loam, 5 to 20 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 73436; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gene Autry, OK

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days85days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights54nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,694base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.8 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: Ardmore 3ene Mesonet, OK (7 mi away); precipitation: Ardmore 3ene Mesonet, OK (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Mannsville, OK · 11 mi

Mill Creek, OK · 15 mi

730307b

Davis, OK · 15 mi

Oklahoma planting zones →

Questions about 73436

What planting zone is ZIP code 73436?

ZIP code 73436 (Gene Autry, OK) 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 Gene Autry, OK?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 73436 is March 18; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ardmore 3ene Mesonet station.

When is the first frost in Gene Autry, OK?

The median first fall frost near 73436 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 73436?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 21 – Feb 4 and set transplants outside around Mar 25 – Apr 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 73436 get?

About 39.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ardmore 3ene Mesonet station).

How hot do summers get in Gene Autry, OK?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 85 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 73436 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Steedman at the center of ZIP 73436: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Gene Autry, OK in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 73436 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gene Autry, OK?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 73436 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 73436 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 73436 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.