Frost dates for 35215Birmingham, AL
The average last spring frost in Birmingham is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 212 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 212 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 152 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 191 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 4 · Apr 22 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 212 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 22 · Apr 10 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Birmingham
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35215 is matched to the NOAA station Pinson, AL, 5 km away, at 608 ft elevation (206 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinson, AL (used) | 608 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| Birmingham Ap, AL | 615 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL | 445 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 10 |
| Oneonta, AL | 1,100 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Birmingham
- Birmingham, AL 35235 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- New Castle, AL 35119 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Alton, AL 35015 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Trussville, AL 35173 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Pinson, AL 35126 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Palmerdale, AL 35123 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Clay, AL 35048 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Morris, AL 35116 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Birmingham, AL?
- For ZIP code 35215, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pinson, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Birmingham, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35215?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 212 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.