Frost Dates for Cottondale, AL 35453
Last spring frost March 23 · First fall frost November 11 · 233 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 35453 has about 12,600 people.
Long season: 233 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 4–April 11 (38 days). Fall frost risk spans October 25–November 28 (34 days).
Frost probability for 35453
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 11 | March 23 | March 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 25 | November 11 | November 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GREENSBORO (55.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 233-day season in Cottondale
In Cottondale (233 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 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 6. | Jul 12 |
| Pepper | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 6. | Jul 17 |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 20 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 275 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 275 available after Mar 2. | Sep 9 |
| Cucumber | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Beans | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Peas | — | Jan 26–Apr 6 | 296 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 296 available after Jan 26. | Aug 31 |
| Zucchini | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Onion | Dec 29 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 268 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 268 available after Feb 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 26–Mar 16 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 2. | Oct 9 |
| Kale | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 268 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 268 available after Feb 23. | Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 282 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 23. | Sep 9 |
| Radish | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Oct 10 |
| Beets | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 254 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 11 | 338 | overwinter: Plant Nov 11 to Dec 2; harvest the following summer. | Dec 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 16–Apr 13 | 289 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 205 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 30. | Jul 24 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 198 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 6. | Jun 29 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 247 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 16. | Aug 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 9 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 310 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 2. | Oct 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 282 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 23. | Aug 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 198 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 6. | Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 191 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 6. | Jul 22 |
| Okra | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Basil | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 23–Mar 16 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Parsley | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 233 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 30. | Aug 26 |
| Celery | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 233 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 30. | Jul 7 |
| Scallions | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 19 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 24 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 23 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 20 |
| Collards | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 191 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 6. | Jul 7 |
| Chives | Dec 29 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 247 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Oregano | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 247 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 29 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 233 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Sage | Jan 26 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 247 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 247 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Cosmos | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Lavender | Dec 29 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 254 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Melons | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 191 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 6. | Jul 7 |
| Mint | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 254 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 212 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 30. | Aug 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 6. | Jul 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 23. | Aug 5 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 26 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 30. | Jul 17 |
| Watermelon | Mar 9 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 30. | Jul 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Zinnias | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
Month by month in Cottondale
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 12), Collards (Jan 12), Kale (Jan 12), Oregano (Jan 12), Parsley (Jan 12), Scallions (Jan 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 26), Beets (Jan 26), Dill (Jan 26), Peas (Jan 26), Radish (Jan 26), Spinach (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 2), Calendula (Feb 9), Cauliflower (Feb 9), Marigolds (Feb 9), Pepper (Feb 9), Basil (Feb 16), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 9), Cilantro (Feb 23), Turnip (Feb 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 23), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 23), Cabbage (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), Kale (Feb 23), Lettuce (Feb 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 2), Butternut Squash (Mar 9), Cantaloupe (Mar 9), Melons (Mar 9), Pumpkin (Mar 9), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 2), Potatoes (Mar 9), Sunflowers (Mar 23), Beans (Mar 30), Pole Beans (Mar 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), Bok Choy (Mar 16), Cauliflower (Mar 16), Cosmos (Mar 23), Lavender (Mar 23), +15 more. Last frost around March 23. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Cucumber (Apr 6), Eggplant (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pepper (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 29), Pumpkin (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 7), Celery (Jul 7), Melons (Jul 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 9), Tomato (Jul 12), Watermelon (Jul 12), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 5), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 10), Pole Beans (Aug 10), Basil (Aug 15), Cosmos (Aug 15), Cucumber (Aug 15), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 9), Carrots (Sep 9), Beets (Sep 10), Dill (Sep 10), Swiss Chard (Sep 10), Calendula (Sep 15), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 9), Spinach (Oct 9), Radish (Oct 10). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 11). First frost around November 11. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 29), Lavender (Dec 29), Onion (Dec 29), Rosemary (Dec 29). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 2). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Cottondale, AL (ZIP 35453)?
The median last spring frost date for Cottondale, AL (ZIP code 35453) is around March 23. 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 4; one in ten it runs past April 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Cottondale, AL?
The median first fall frost date for Cottondale, AL is around November 11. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Cottondale, AL?
The frost-free growing season in Cottondale is about 233 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 Cottondale (233 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 Cottondale, AL?
Cottondale, 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 Cottondale, AL?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 16 and plant out Apr 6 in Cottondale. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Cottondale?
Two: plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18.
When do I plant garlic in Cottondale?
Nov 11 to Dec 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Cottondale?
Yes: plant out Apr 6 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 12 for a fall crop.
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