Frost Dates for Selma, AL 36703
Selma has 2 ZIP codes. The Selma, AL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 22 · First fall frost November 9 · 232 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 36703 has about 9,130 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Selma.
Long season: 232 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 4–April 9 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans October 25–November 23 (29 days).
Frost probability for 36703
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 9 | March 22 | March 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 25 | November 9 | November 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MARION JUNCTION 2 NE (30.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 232-day season in Selma
In Selma (232 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 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 10 |
| Pepper | Feb 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 15 |
| Lettuce | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 1. | Sep 7 |
| Cucumber | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Beans | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Peas | — | Jan 25–Apr 5 | 295 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 295 available after Jan 25. | Aug 29 |
| Zucchini | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Onion | Dec 28 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 25–Mar 15 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Kale | Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 267 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 22. | Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 281 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 22. | Sep 7 |
| Radish | — | Jan 25–Apr 19 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Oct 8 |
| Beets | — | Jan 25–Apr 19 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 9 | 337 | overwinter: Plant Nov 9 to Nov 30; harvest the following summer. | Nov 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 15–Apr 12 | 288 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 22 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 29. | Jul 22 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 5. | Jun 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 15. | Aug 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 25 | Mar 8–Mar 8 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 25–Apr 19 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 281 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 22. | Aug 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 5. | Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 20 |
| Okra | Feb 22 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Basil | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 22–Mar 15 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Parsley | Jan 11 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 29. | Aug 24 |
| Celery | Jan 11 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 232 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 29. | Jul 5 |
| Scallions | Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 22 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Collards | Jan 11 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 5 |
| Chives | Dec 28 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 25–Apr 19 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Oregano | Jan 11 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 28 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Sage | Jan 25 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 11 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 8 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Cosmos | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Lavender | Dec 28 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Melons | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 5 |
| Mint | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 211 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 29. | Aug 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 5. | Jul 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 22. | Aug 3 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 25 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Mar 29. | Jul 15 |
| Watermelon | Mar 8 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Mar 29. | Jul 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Zinnias | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
Month by month in Selma
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 11), Collards (Jan 11), Kale (Jan 11), Oregano (Jan 11), Parsley (Jan 11), Scallions (Jan 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 25), Beets (Jan 25), Dill (Jan 25), Peas (Jan 25), Radish (Jan 25), Spinach (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 1), Calendula (Feb 8), Cauliflower (Feb 8), Marigolds (Feb 8), Pepper (Feb 8), Basil (Feb 15), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 8), Cilantro (Feb 22), Turnip (Feb 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 22), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 22), Cabbage (Feb 22), Collards (Feb 22), Kale (Feb 22), Lettuce (Feb 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 15). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 1), Butternut Squash (Mar 8), Cantaloupe (Mar 8), Melons (Mar 8), Pumpkin (Mar 8), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 8), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 1), Potatoes (Mar 8), Sunflowers (Mar 22), Beans (Mar 29), Pole Beans (Mar 29). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 8), Swiss Chard (Mar 8), Bok Choy (Mar 15), Cauliflower (Mar 15), Cosmos (Mar 22), Lavender (Mar 22), +15 more. Last frost around March 22. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 5), Cantaloupe (Apr 5), Cucumber (Apr 5), Eggplant (Apr 5), Melons (Apr 5), Pepper (Apr 5), +6 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 | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 28), Lavender (Dec 28), Onion (Dec 28), Rosemary (Dec 28). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Selma, AL (ZIP 36703)?
The median last spring frost date for Selma, AL (ZIP code 36703) is around March 22. 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 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Selma, AL?
The median first fall frost date for Selma, 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 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 232 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 (232 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 15 and plant out Apr 5 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 22 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.
When do I plant garlic in Selma?
Nov 9 to Nov 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Selma?
Yes: plant out Apr 5 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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