Frost Dates for Birmingham, AL 35218
Birmingham has 31 ZIP codes. The Birmingham, AL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 2 · First fall frost November 7 · 219 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 35218 has about 6,980 people, one of 31 ZIP codes in Birmingham.
Long season: 219 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 17–April 19 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 23–November 22 (30 days).
Frost probability for 35218
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 19 | April 2 | March 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 23 | November 7 | November 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BIRMINGHAM AP ASOS (15.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 219-day season in Birmingham
In Birmingham (219 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | Jul 8 |
| Pepper | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | Jul 13 |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 261 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 12. | Sep 5 |
| Cucumber | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Peas | — | Feb 5–Apr 16 | 282 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 5. | Aug 27 |
| Zucchini | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Onion | Jan 8 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 254 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 5–Mar 26 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Kale | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 254 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 5. | Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 268 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 5. | Sep 5 |
| Radish | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Oct 6 |
| Beets | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 7 | 324 | overwinter: Plant Nov 7 to Nov 28; harvest the following summer. | Nov 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 26–Apr 23 | 275 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 9. | Jul 20 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 184 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 16. | Jun 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 26. | Aug 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 268 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 5. | Aug 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 184 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 16. | Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Basil | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 5–Mar 26 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Parsley | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 9. | Aug 22 |
| Celery | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 219 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 9. | Jul 3 |
| Scallions | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Collards | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 177 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | Jul 3 |
| Chives | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Oregano | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 233 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Sage | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Cosmos | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Lavender | Jan 8 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Melons | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 177 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | Jul 3 |
| Mint | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 198 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 9. | Aug 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 16. | Jul 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 2. | Aug 1 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 9. | Jul 13 |
| Watermelon | Mar 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 9. | Jul 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Zinnias | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
Month by month in Birmingham
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 8), Lavender (Jan 8), Onion (Jan 8), Rosemary (Jan 8), Celery (Jan 22), Collards (Jan 22), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 5), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 5), Cabbage (Feb 5), Lettuce (Feb 5), Sage (Feb 5), Swiss Chard (Feb 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 5), Beets (Feb 5), Dill (Feb 5), Peas (Feb 5), Radish (Feb 5), Spinach (Feb 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 5), Corn (Mar 5), Cosmos (Mar 5), Nasturtiums (Mar 5), Okra (Mar 5), Zinnias (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 5), Turnip (Mar 5), Carrots (Mar 12), Potatoes (Mar 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 2), Beans (Apr 9), Pole Beans (Apr 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 2), Lavender (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Mint (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +23 more. Last frost around April 2. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 25), Pumpkin (Jun 25). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 3), Celery (Jul 3), Melons (Jul 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 5), Tomato (Jul 8), Watermelon (Jul 8), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 1), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 6), Pole Beans (Aug 6), Basil (Aug 11), Cosmos (Aug 11), Cucumber (Aug 11), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 5), Carrots (Sep 5), Beets (Sep 6), Dill (Sep 6), Swiss Chard (Sep 6), Calendula (Sep 11), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 5), Spinach (Oct 5), Radish (Oct 6). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 7). First frost around November 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 28). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Birmingham, AL (ZIP 35218)?
The median last spring frost date for Birmingham, AL (ZIP code 35218) is around April 2. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 17; one in ten it runs past April 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Birmingham, AL?
The median first fall frost date for Birmingham, AL is around November 7. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Birmingham, AL?
The frost-free growing season in Birmingham is about 219 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Birmingham (219 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Birmingham, AL?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 26 and plant out Apr 16 in Birmingham. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Birmingham?
Two: plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14.
When do I plant garlic in Birmingham?
Nov 7 to Nov 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Birmingham?
Yes: plant out Apr 16 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 8 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Birmingham, AL 35211 (4 mi)
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- Frost dates for Bessemer, AL 35023 (11.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Gardendale, AL 35071 (13.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Birmingham, AL 35242 (14.1 mi)
- When to plant in Birmingham, AL: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in AL
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- When to plant Cucumbers in AL
- When to plant Zucchini in AL
- When to plant Butternut Squash in AL
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