When is the last frost in Birmingham, AL?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Birmingham is around March 21, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Birmingham Ap, AL station (5 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Birmingham?

The average first fall frost in Birmingham, AL is around November 11, giving roughly a 236-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Birmingham, AL?

Birmingham is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 10 to 15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Birmingham?

In Birmingham, AL the warmest month is July (avg high 91°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 34.9°F). It averages about 56.6″ of precipitation a year and 1.4″ of snow.

Home › Alabama › Birmingham

Birmingham, AL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 35203 · elevation 188′ · NOAA & USDA data

Birmingham is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 236 days between the average last spring frost (March 21) and first fall frost (November 11). The warmest month is July (avg high 91°F); the coldest is January (avg low 34.9°F). It averages 56.6″ of precipitation a year and 1.4″ 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

min temp 10 to 15°F

Last spring frost

March 21

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 11

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

236 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 91°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Birmingham

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Birmingham Ap, AL (5 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	54.5	34.9	44.7	5	0.4
February	59.1	38.4	48.8	5	0.3
March	67.1	45	56	5.7	0.5
April	75	52.1	63.6	5.1	0
May	82	61	71.5	4.9	0
June	88.1	68.5	78.3	4.8	0
July	91	72.1	81.5	5.4	0
August	90.6	71.3	80.9	4.4	0
September	85.9	65.3	75.6	4	0
October	76	53.9	64.9	3.3	0
November	65	43	54	4.2	0
December	56.9	37.9	47.4	4.9	0.2

What to plant when in Birmingham

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 7 · Transplant out: March 28
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 24 · Transplant out: April 4
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 28
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 28
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 28
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 28
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 28
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 14 · Sow (fall): September 16
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 7 · Sow (fall): September 16
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 21 · Sow (fall): September 16
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 28 · Sow (fall): September 2
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 7
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 28 · Sow (fall): September 2
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 21
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 7
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 21 · Sow (fall): September 30

Dates are computed from Birmingham'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.

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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

Tuscaloosa, AL Decatur, AL Madison, AL Montgomery, AL Huntsville, AL Auburn, AL Florence, AL Phenix City, 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 — Birmingham Ap, AL, 5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Birmingham Ap, AL, 5 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.