🌱 GrowGuide Almanac
HomeAlabama › Auburn

Auburn, AL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 36830 · elevation 166′ · NOAA & USDA data

Auburn is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 246 days between the average last spring frost (March 13) and first fall frost (November 17). The warmest month is July (avg high 89.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 35.3°F). It averages 56.5″ of precipitation a year and 0.7″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
8b
min temp 15 to 20°F
Last spring frost
March 13
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 17
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
246 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 89.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Auburn

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Auburn No.2, AL (4.7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 56.1 35.3 45.7 5.3 0.3
February 60.9 38.9 49.9 5.1 0.2
March 67.7 45 56.4 5.7 0.2
April 74.7 51.3 63 4.8 0
May 81.4 60.1 70.8 4 0
June 86.6 67.7 77.1 5.7 0
July 89.2 70.8 80 4.8 0
August 88.2 70.5 79.4 4.3 0
September 83.5 65.5 74.5 3.5 0
October 74.5 54.4 64.4 3.4 0
November 64.8 43.2 54 4.2 0
December 57.6 37.6 47.6 5.6 0

What to plant when in Auburn

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: January 30 · Transplant out: March 20
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: January 16 · Transplant out: March 27
CucumberswarmDirect sow: March 20
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: March 20
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: March 20
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: March 20
BasilwarmTransplant out: March 20
PeascoolSow (spring): February 6 · Sow (fall): September 22
SpinachcoolSow (spring): January 30 · Sow (fall): September 22
LettucecoolSow (spring): February 13 · Sow (fall): September 22
KalecoolTransplant (spring): February 20 · Sow (fall): September 8
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): February 27
CarrotscoolSow (spring): February 20 · Sow (fall): September 8
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): February 13
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: February 27
RadishescoolSow (spring): February 13 · Sow (fall): October 6

Dates are computed from Auburn's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

Want the exact dates for your yard? →
Look up your precise ZIP-code frost dates and a full 26-crop planting calendar on our free interactive tool.
Open the frost & planting tool

🌾 Get a frost reminder

One email in early spring and early fall with the dates for your area. No spam.

Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Alabama

Phenix City, ALMontgomery, ALDothan, ALBirmingham, ALTuscaloosa, ALHuntsville, ALMadison, ALDecatur, AL

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Auburn No.2, AL, 4.7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Auburn No.2, AL, 4.7 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.