Mobile, AL planting zone & frost dates
Mobile is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around February 21 and the first fall frost around December 6, for a growing season of about 292 days.
Planting calendar for Mobile
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 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: Dec 27 – Jan 10 Transplant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 13 – Dec 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 13 – Dec 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 13 – Dec 27 Transplant outdoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 13 – Dec 27 Transplant outdoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 7 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 7 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 7 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 11 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 6).
Useful for zone 9a 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
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Jan 25 | Feb 21 | Mar 15 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 5 | Dec 6 | Nov 15 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 15, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 15. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 2.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Mobile
- 36601 zone 9a
- 36602 zone 9a
- 36603 zone 9a
- 36604 zone 9a
- 36605 zone 9a
- 36606 zone 9a
- 36607 zone 9a
- 36608 zone 9a
- 36609 zone 9a
- 36610 zone 9a
- 36611 zone 9a
- 36612 zone 9a
- 36615 zone 9a
- 36616 zone 9a
- 36617 zone 9a
- 36618 zone 9a
- 36619 zone 9a
- 36628 zone 9a
- 36633 zone 9a
- 36640 zone 9a
- 36641 zone 9a
- 36644 zone 9a
- 36652 zone 9a
- 36660 zone 9a
- 36663 zone 9a
- 36670 zone 9a
- 36671 zone 9a
- 36675 zone 9a
- 36685 zone 9a
- 36688 zone 9a
- 36689 zone 9a
- 36691 zone 9a
- 36693 zone 9a
- 36695 zone 9a
Nearby cities
- Prichard zone 9a, last frost Feb 21
- Saraland zone 8b, last frost Feb 21
- Tillmans Corner zone 9a, last frost Feb 21
- Daphne zone 9a, last frost Mar 15
- Fairhope zone 9a, last frost Mar 10
- Foley zone 9a, last frost Mar 5
- Gulf Shores zone 9a, last frost Mar 5
- Atmore zone 9a, last frost Feb 28
Questions
What growing zone is Mobile, AL?
Mobile is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Mobile?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Mobile is February 21. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 15.
When can I plant tomatoes in Mobile?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 28 – Mar 7. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL (USW00013838), 7.9 km (4.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 8 m, based on 24 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.