Jacksonville, AL planting zone & frost dates
Jacksonville is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 6 and the first fall frost around October 31, for a growing season of about 206 days.
Planting calendar for Jacksonville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 6) 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: Feb 9 – Feb 23 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 26 – Feb 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 23 – Mar 9 Transplant outdoors: Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 31).
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 | Mar 20 | Apr 6 | Apr 22 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 12 | Oct 31 | Oct 19 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 22, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 19. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 25.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Jacksonville
- 36265 zone 8a
Nearby cities
- Saks zone 8a, last frost Mar 23
- Anniston zone 8a, last frost Mar 23
- Oxford zone 8a, last frost Mar 23
- Gadsden zone 8a, last frost Mar 19
- Talladega zone 8a, last frost Apr 5
- Pell City zone 8a, last frost Mar 26
- Fort Payne zone 7b, last frost Mar 29
- Albertville zone 8a, last frost Mar 17
Questions
What growing zone is Jacksonville, AL?
Jacksonville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8a (average extreme winter low 10°F to 15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Jacksonville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Jacksonville is April 6. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 22.
When can I plant tomatoes in Jacksonville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 13 – Apr 20. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Heflin, AL (USC00013775), 23.6 km (14.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 305 m, based on 27 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.