When Is the Last Frost in Alabama?
The average last spring frost in Alabama falls between March 4 and April 4 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of March 21. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | Mar 24 | Apr 8 | Nov 8 | 229 days |
| Mobile | Feb 21 | Mar 15 | Dec 6 | 292 days |
| Birmingham | Mar 21 | Apr 8 | Nov 11 | 236 days |
| Montgomery | Mar 4 | Mar 23 | Nov 18 | 262 days |
| Tuscaloosa | Mar 18 | Apr 4 | Nov 10 | 239 days |
| Hoover | Mar 19 | Apr 9 | Nov 8 | 236 days |
| Auburn | Mar 13 | Apr 3 | Nov 17 | 246 days |
| Dothan | Mar 1 | Mar 21 | Nov 24 | 270 days |
| Madison | Mar 24 | Apr 8 | Nov 8 | 229 days |
| Decatur | Mar 26 | Apr 9 | Nov 7 | 228 days |
| Florence | Mar 27 | Apr 13 | Nov 3 | 220 days |
| Phenix City | Mar 26 | Apr 13 | Nov 8 | 228 days |
| Gadsden | Mar 19 | Apr 7 | Nov 13 | 240 days |
| Enterprise | Mar 9 | Mar 31 | Nov 21 | 260 days |
| Foley | Mar 5 | Mar 26 | Nov 23 | 264 days |
| Trussville | Apr 4 | Apr 22 | Nov 1 | 212 days |
| Albertville | Mar 19 | Apr 5 | Nov 18 | 244 days |
| Oxford | Mar 23 | Apr 9 | Nov 9 | 231 days |
| Fort Payne | Mar 29 | Apr 16 | Nov 8 | 225 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 118 Alabama weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from January 31 at Dauphin Is #2, AL to April 11 at Camp Hill 2 NW, AL. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Alabama?
The average first fall frost in Alabama arrives between October 31 and November 24 for most ZIP codes, with a median of November 10. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Huntsville has a 10% chance of frost before October 27, Mobile has a 10% chance of frost before November 15 and Birmingham has a 10% chance of frost before October 30. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Alabama?
Transplant tomatoes in Alabama 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Mar 31 – Apr 7 in Huntsville, Feb 28 – Mar 7 in Mobile and Mar 28 – Apr 4 in Birmingham. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | after Apr 8 |
| Mobile | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | after Mar 15 |
| Birmingham | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | after Apr 8 |
| Montgomery | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | after Mar 23 |
| Tuscaloosa | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | after Apr 4 |
| Hoover | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | after Apr 9 |
| Auburn | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | after Apr 3 |
| Dothan | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | after Mar 21 |
| Madison | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | after Apr 8 |
| Decatur | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | after Apr 9 |
| Florence | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | after Apr 13 |
| Phenix City | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | after Apr 13 |
| Gadsden | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | after Apr 7 |
| Enterprise | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | after Mar 31 |
| Foley | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | after Mar 26 |
| Trussville | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | after Apr 22 |
| Albertville | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | after Apr 5 |
| Oxford | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | after Apr 9 |
| Fort Payne | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | after Apr 16 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Huntsville and When?
Huntsville's average last frost of March 24 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from February 10, broccoli and lettuce transplants from February 24, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after March 31.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Feb 10 – Feb 24direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Feb 17 – Mar 3direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 24 – Mar 10transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Feb 24 – Mar 10direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 3 – Mar 10direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 7transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Huntsville (last frost Mar 24, NOAA station Huntsville INTL AP, AL, 11 miles from ZIP 35805). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Alabama?
The frost-free growing season in Alabama lasts about 210 to 264 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 234 days. Among the listed cities, Trussville has the shortest season at 212 days and Mobile the longest at 292.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Alabama range from 198 days at Hamilton 3 S, AL to 340 days at Dauphin Is #2, AL. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Alabama?
Alabama spans USDA hardiness zones 7b to 9b, with zone 8b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Alabama planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Alabama?
- The average last spring frost in Alabama falls between March 4 and April 4 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of March 21. Among major cities it ranges from February 21 in Mobile to April 4 in Trussville.
- When is the last frost in Huntsville, Alabama?
- Huntsville's average last spring frost is March 24, and by April 8 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages November 8, giving a 229-day growing season (NOAA station Huntsville INTL AP, AL).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Alabama?
- Transplant tomatoes in Alabama 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Mar 31 – Apr 7 in Huntsville, Feb 28 – Mar 7 in Mobile and Mar 28 – Apr 4 in Birmingham. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Alabama?
- The average first fall frost in Alabama arrives between October 31 and November 24 for most ZIP codes, with a median of November 10. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Alabama?
- The frost-free growing season in Alabama lasts about 210 to 264 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 234 days, from 212 days in Trussville to 292 days in Mobile.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.