Frost Dates for Birmingham, AL 35228
Birmingham has 31 ZIP codes. The Birmingham, AL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 30 · First fall frost November 9 · 224 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 35228 has about 10,200 people, one of 31 ZIP codes in Birmingham.
Long season: 224 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 11–April 17 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans October 27–November 22 (26 days).
Frost probability for 35228
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 17 | March 30 | March 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 27 | November 9 | November 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BANKHEAD L&D (40.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 224-day season in Birmingham
In Birmingham (224 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 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jul 10 |
| Pepper | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jul 15 |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 9. | Sep 7 |
| Cucumber | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Peas | — | Feb 2–Apr 13 | 287 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 2. | Aug 29 |
| Zucchini | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Onion | Jan 5 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 259 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 2–Mar 23 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Kale | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 259 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 2. | Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 273 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 2. | Sep 7 |
| Radish | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Oct 8 |
| Beets | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 9 | 329 | overwinter: Plant Nov 9 to Nov 30; harvest the following summer. | Nov 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 23–Apr 20 | 280 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 6. | Jul 22 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 13. | Jun 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 23. | Aug 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 16 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 2. | Aug 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 13. | Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Basil | Feb 23 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 2–Mar 23 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Parsley | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 6. | Aug 24 |
| Celery | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 224 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 6. | Jul 5 |
| Scallions | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 2 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Collards | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jul 5 |
| Chives | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Oregano | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Sage | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Cosmos | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Lavender | Jan 5 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Melons | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jul 5 |
| Mint | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 203 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 6. | Aug 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 13. | Jul 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 30. | Aug 3 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 15 |
| Watermelon | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Zinnias | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
Month by month in Birmingham
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 5), Lavender (Jan 5), Onion (Jan 5), Rosemary (Jan 5), Celery (Jan 19), Collards (Jan 19), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 2), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 2), Cabbage (Feb 2), Lettuce (Feb 2), Sage (Feb 2), Swiss Chard (Feb 2), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 2), Beets (Feb 2), Dill (Feb 2), Peas (Feb 2), Radish (Feb 2), Spinach (Feb 2), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 2), Corn (Mar 2), Cosmos (Mar 2), Nasturtiums (Mar 2), Okra (Mar 2), Zinnias (Mar 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 2), Turnip (Mar 2), Carrots (Mar 9), Potatoes (Mar 16), Sunflowers (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), +12 more. Last frost around March 30. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 6), Pole Beans (Apr 6). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 6), Chives (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Oregano (Apr 6), Parsley (Apr 6), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 27), Pumpkin (Jun 27). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 5), Celery (Jul 5), Melons (Jul 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 7), Tomato (Jul 10), Watermelon (Jul 10), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 3), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 8), Pole Beans (Aug 8), Basil (Aug 13), Cosmos (Aug 13), Cucumber (Aug 13), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 7), Carrots (Sep 7), Beets (Sep 8), Dill (Sep 8), Swiss Chard (Sep 8), Calendula (Sep 13), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 7), Spinach (Oct 7), Radish (Oct 8). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 9). First frost around November 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 30). |
| 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 35228)?
The median last spring frost date for Birmingham, AL (ZIP code 35228) is around March 30. 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 11; one in ten it runs past April 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Birmingham, AL?
The median first fall frost date for Birmingham, AL is around November 9. 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 27 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 224 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 (224 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 23 and plant out Apr 13 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 2 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.
When do I plant garlic in Birmingham?
Nov 9 to Nov 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Birmingham?
Yes: plant out Apr 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 10 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Birmingham, AL 35211 (3 mi)
- Frost dates for Birmingham, AL 35226 (6 mi)
- Frost dates for Bessemer, AL 35023 (9.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Pelham, AL 35124 (13.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Helena, AL 35080 (13.9 mi)
- When to plant in Birmingham, AL: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in AL
- When to plant Peppers in AL
- When to plant Cucumbers in AL
- When to plant Zucchini in AL
- When to plant Butternut Squash in AL
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- Look up another ZIP