Frost dates for 35223Birmingham, AL
The average last spring frost in Birmingham is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 236 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 236 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 8 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 7 · Mar 26 | Nov 6 · Nov 24 · Dec 15 | 262 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 | Feb 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35223 is matched to the NOAA station Birmingham Ap, AL, 7.5 km away, at 615 ft elevation (287 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Ap, AL (used) | 615 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Pinson, AL | 608 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
| Helena, AL | 480 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 8 |
| Bessemer 3 Wsw, AL | 445 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Birmingham
- Birmingham, AL 35213 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Alton, AL 35015 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Leeds, AL 35094 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Fultondale, AL 35068 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Shannon, AL 35142 · last Mar 23, first Nov 10
- New Castle, AL 35119 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
- Fairfield, AL 35064 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Trussville, AL 35173 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Birmingham, AL?
- For ZIP code 35223, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Birmingham Ap, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Birmingham, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35223?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 236 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.