Last frost date in Birmingham, AL

Average last frost
March 21

In Birmingham, the last spring frost comes around March 21 in an average year. Wait until April 8 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 11, which leaves 236 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 30 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 8
Average first frost
Nov 11
Frost-free season
236 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 7
Next 7 nights in Birmingham

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2249°
  2. FriOct 2348°
  3. SatOct 2447°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2647°
  6. TueOct 2750°
  7. WedOct 2849°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 21First frost Nov 11236 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND236 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Birmingham Airport, 4.0 miles from Birmingham.

Planting calendar for Birmingham

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Alabama.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 28–Apr 11
PumpkinsApr 4–Apr 18
SunflowersMar 21–Apr 11
CucumbersApr 4–Apr 11
CornMar 28–Apr 11
Sweet potatoesApr 11–Apr 25
WatermelonApr 4–Apr 18
Green beansMar 28–Apr 18
ZucchiniMar 28–Apr 11
OkraApr 11–Apr 25
PeppersApr 4–Apr 18
BasilMar 28–Apr 11
Butternut squashMar 28–Apr 11
CantaloupeApr 4–Apr 18
EggplantApr 4–Apr 18
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 21–Mar 7
OnionsFeb 7–Feb 28
CarrotsFeb 28–Apr 4
LettuceMar 7–Mar 28
BroccoliFeb 21–Mar 7
BeetsFeb 21–Apr 4
PeasFeb 7–Feb 21
CabbageFeb 21–Mar 7
RadishesFeb 14–Mar 28
Brussels sproutsMar 7–Mar 21
SpinachFeb 7–Feb 28
CilantroMar 7–Mar 28
KaleFeb 21–Mar 7
Collard greensFeb 21–Mar 7
TurnipsFeb 21–Mar 7
DillMar 21–Apr 4
CeleryMar 28–Apr 4
CauliflowerMar 7–Mar 21
LeeksMar 7–Mar 21
Swiss chardMar 7–Apr 4
ParsleyMar 7–Mar 28
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 28–Dec 2
GarlicOct 21–Nov 25
Daffodil bulbsOct 14–Nov 25
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 21–Mar 7
AsparagusFeb 21–Mar 7

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 28Mar 21Apr 8Oct 30Nov 11Dec 1
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 14Mar 7Mar 26Nov 6Nov 24Dec 15

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Birmingham Airport (USW00013876) sits 4.0 miles from the center of Birmingham at 615 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Birmingham, AL?

The average last frost date in Birmingham is March 21, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 8.

When is the first frost in Birmingham?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 11. One year in ten it arrives before October 30.

How long is the growing season in Birmingham?

About 236 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Birmingham?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 28 to April 11. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Alabama

All 33 cities in Alabama