Birmingham, AL planting zone & frost dates
Birmingham is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 21 and the first fall frost around November 11, for a growing season of about 236 days.
Planting calendar for Birmingham
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 21) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 4 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 16 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 11).
Useful for zone 8a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 28 | Mar 21 | Apr 8 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 1 | Nov 11 | Oct 30 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 8, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 30. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 7.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Birmingham
- 35201 zone 8a
- 35202 zone 8a
- 35203 zone 8a
- 35204 zone 8a
- 35205 zone 8b
- 35206 zone 8a
- 35207 zone 8a
- 35208 zone 8a
- 35209 zone 8b
- 35210 zone 8a
- 35211 zone 8b
- 35212 zone 8a
- 35213 zone 8b
- 35214 zone 8a
- 35215 zone 8a
- 35216 zone 8b
- 35217 zone 8a
- 35218 zone 8a
- 35219 zone 8b
- 35220 zone 8a
- 35221 zone 8a
- 35222 zone 8a
- 35223 zone 8b
- 35224 zone 8b
- 35226 zone 8b
- 35228 zone 8a
- 35229 zone 8b
- 35231 zone 8b
- 35232 zone 8a
- 35233 zone 8a
- 35234 zone 8a
- 35235 zone 8a
- 35236 zone 8a
- 35237 zone 8a
- 35238 zone 8b
- 35242 zone 8b
- 35243 zone 8b
- 35244 zone 8a
- 35246 zone 8a
- 35249 zone 8a
- 35253 zone 8b
- 35255 zone 8b
- 35259 zone 8b
- 35260 zone 8b
- 35261 zone 8a
- 35266 zone 8b
- 35270 zone 8a
- 35282 zone 8b
- 35283 zone 8a
- 35285 zone 8a
- 35287 zone 8a
- 35288 zone 8a
- 35290 zone 8a
- 35291 zone 8a
- 35292 zone 8a
- 35293 zone 8b
- 35294 zone 8b
- 35295 zone 8a
- 35296 zone 8b
- 35297 zone 8b
- 35298 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Homewood zone 8b, last frost Mar 21
- Mountain Brook zone 8b, last frost Mar 21
- Vestavia Hills zone 8b, last frost Mar 21
- Irondale zone 8a, last frost Mar 21
- Forestdale zone 8a, last frost Mar 21
- Fairfield zone 8b, last frost Mar 23
- Hoover zone 8b, last frost Mar 19
- Gardendale zone 8a, last frost Mar 21
Questions
What growing zone is Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8b.
When is the last frost in Birmingham?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Birmingham is March 21. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 8.
When can I plant tomatoes in Birmingham?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 28 – Apr 4. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Birmingham Ap, AL (USW00013876), 7.3 km (4.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 188 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.