Frost Dates for Selma, AL 36701
Last spring frost March 19 · First fall frost November 12 · 238 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 36701 has about 22,200 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Selma.
Long season: 238 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 2–April 5 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 25–November 29 (35 days).
Frost probability for 36701
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 5 | March 19 | March 2 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 25 | November 12 | November 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CAMDEN 3 NW (57.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Selma, AL
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36701 | March 19 | November 12 | 8b |
| 36703 | March 22 | November 9 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 238-day season in Selma
In Selma (238 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 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 2. | Jul 13 |
| Pepper | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 2. | Jul 18 |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Feb 26 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 280 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 26. | Sep 10 |
| Cucumber | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Beans | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Peas | — | Jan 22–Apr 2 | 301 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 301 available after Jan 22. | Sep 1 |
| Zucchini | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Onion | Dec 25 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 19. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 22–Mar 12 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 273 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 19. | Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 287 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 19. | Sep 10 |
| Radish | — | Jan 22–Apr 16 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Oct 11 |
| Beets | — | Jan 22–Apr 16 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 259 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 12 | 343 | overwinter: Plant Nov 12 to Dec 3; harvest the following summer. | Dec 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 12–Apr 9 | 294 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 12; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 210 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 26. | Jul 25 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 2 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 2. | Jun 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 5 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 252 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 12. | Aug 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 5 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 22–Apr 16 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 3. | Oct 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 287 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 19. | Aug 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 203 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 2. | Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 196 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 2. | Jul 23 |
| Okra | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Basil | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 19–Mar 12 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Parsley | Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 26. | Aug 27 |
| Celery | Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 238 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 26. | Jul 8 |
| Scallions | Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 25 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 19 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 21 |
| Collards | Jan 8 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Dec 3. | Sep 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 196 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 2. | Jul 8 |
| Chives | Dec 25 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 22–Apr 16 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Oregano | Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 252 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 25 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Sage | Jan 22 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 252 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 8 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Cosmos | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Lavender | Dec 25 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 259 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Melons | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 196 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 2. | Jul 8 |
| Mint | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 259 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 217 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 26. | Aug 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 2. | Jul 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 19. | Aug 6 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 22 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 26. | Jul 18 |
| Watermelon | Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 26. | Jul 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Zinnias | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
Month by month in Selma
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 8), Collards (Jan 8), Kale (Jan 8), Oregano (Jan 8), Parsley (Jan 8), Scallions (Jan 8), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 22), Beets (Jan 22), Dill (Jan 22), Peas (Jan 22), Radish (Jan 22), Spinach (Jan 22). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 5), Cauliflower (Feb 5), Marigolds (Feb 5), Pepper (Feb 5), Basil (Feb 12), Tomato (Feb 12), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 5), Cilantro (Feb 19), Turnip (Feb 19), Carrots (Feb 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 19), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 19), Cabbage (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), Kale (Feb 19), Lettuce (Feb 19), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 12). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 5), Cantaloupe (Mar 5), Melons (Mar 5), Pumpkin (Mar 5), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 5), Watermelon (Mar 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 5), Sunflowers (Mar 19), Beans (Mar 26), Pole Beans (Mar 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), Bok Choy (Mar 12), Cauliflower (Mar 12), Cosmos (Mar 19), Lavender (Mar 19), +15 more. Last frost around March 19. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 2), Cantaloupe (Apr 2), Cucumber (Apr 2), Eggplant (Apr 2), Melons (Apr 2), Pepper (Apr 2), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 30), Pumpkin (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 8), Celery (Jul 8), Melons (Jul 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 10), Tomato (Jul 13), Watermelon (Jul 13), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 6), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 11), Pole Beans (Aug 11), Basil (Aug 16), Cosmos (Aug 16), Cucumber (Aug 16), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Peas (Sep 1), Cabbage (Sep 10), Carrots (Sep 10), Beets (Sep 11), Dill (Sep 11), Swiss Chard (Sep 11), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 10), Spinach (Oct 10), Radish (Oct 11). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 12). First frost around November 12. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 25), Lavender (Dec 25), Onion (Dec 25), Rosemary (Dec 25). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 3). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Selma, AL (ZIP 36701)?
The median last spring frost date for Selma, AL (ZIP code 36701) is around March 19. 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 2; one in ten it runs past April 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Selma, AL?
The median first fall frost date for Selma, AL is around November 12. 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 Selma, AL?
The frost-free growing season in Selma is about 238 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 Selma (238 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 Selma, AL?
Selma, 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 Selma, AL?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 12 and plant out Apr 2 in Selma. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Selma?
Two: plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 19.
When do I plant garlic in Selma?
Nov 12 to Dec 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Selma?
Yes: plant out Apr 2 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 13 for a fall crop.
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