Frost Dates for Birmingham, AL 35229
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 9 · 221 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 35229 has about 2,790 people, one of 31 ZIP codes in Birmingham.
Long season: 221 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 17–April 19 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 27–November 22 (26 days).
Frost probability for 35229
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 19 | April 2 | March 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 27 | November 9 | November 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BIRMINGHAM AP ASOS (12.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 221-day season in Birmingham
In Birmingham (221 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 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jul 10 |
| Pepper | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jul 15 |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 12. | Sep 7 |
| Cucumber | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Peas | — | Feb 5–Apr 16 | 284 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 5. | Aug 29 |
| Zucchini | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Onion | Jan 8 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 256 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 5–Mar 26 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Kale | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 256 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 5. | Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 270 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 5. | Sep 7 |
| Radish | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Oct 8 |
| Beets | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 9 | 326 | overwinter: Plant Nov 9 to Nov 30; harvest the following summer. | Nov 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 26–Apr 23 | 277 | 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 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 9. | Jul 22 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 16. | Jun 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 26. | Aug 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 270 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 5. | Aug 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 16. | Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Basil | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 5–Mar 26 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Parsley | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 9. | Aug 24 |
| Celery | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 221 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 9. | Jul 5 |
| Scallions | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Collards | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 179 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jul 5 |
| Chives | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Oregano | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Sage | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Cosmos | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Lavender | Jan 8 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Melons | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 179 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 16. | Jul 5 |
| Mint | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 200 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 9. | Aug 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 16. | Jul 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 2. | Aug 3 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 9. | Jul 15 |
| Watermelon | Mar 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 9. | Jul 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Zinnias | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 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 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 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 35229)?
The median last spring frost date for Birmingham, AL (ZIP code 35229) 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 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 221 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 (221 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 8b (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 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 16 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 10 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Birmingham, AL: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Butternut Squash in AL
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