Last frost date in Tuscaloosa, AL

Average last frost
March 18

Expect the last frost in Tuscaloosa around March 18. Frost after April 4 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 10, which leaves 239 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 29 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 4
Average first frost
Nov 10
Frost-free season
239 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 3
Next 7 nights in Tuscaloosa

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 2446°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 18First frost Nov 10239 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND239 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Northport 2 S, 3.9 miles from Tuscaloosa.

Planting calendar for Tuscaloosa

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 25–Apr 8
PumpkinsApr 1–Apr 15
SunflowersMar 18–Apr 8
CucumbersApr 1–Apr 8
CornMar 25–Apr 8
Sweet potatoesApr 8–Apr 22
WatermelonApr 1–Apr 15
Green beansMar 25–Apr 15
ZucchiniMar 25–Apr 8
OkraApr 8–Apr 22
PeppersApr 1–Apr 15
BasilMar 25–Apr 8
Butternut squashMar 25–Apr 8
CantaloupeApr 1–Apr 15
EggplantApr 1–Apr 15
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 18–Mar 4
OnionsFeb 4–Feb 25
CarrotsFeb 25–Apr 1
LettuceMar 4–Mar 25
BroccoliFeb 18–Mar 4
BeetsFeb 18–Apr 1
PeasFeb 4–Feb 18
CabbageFeb 18–Mar 4
RadishesFeb 11–Mar 25
Brussels sproutsMar 4–Mar 18
SpinachFeb 4–Feb 25
CilantroMar 4–Mar 25
KaleFeb 18–Mar 4
Collard greensFeb 18–Mar 4
TurnipsFeb 18–Mar 4
DillMar 18–Apr 1
CeleryMar 25–Apr 1
CauliflowerMar 4–Mar 18
LeeksMar 4–Mar 18
Swiss chardMar 4–Apr 1
ParsleyMar 4–Mar 25
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 27–Dec 1
GarlicOct 20–Nov 24
Daffodil bulbsOct 13–Nov 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 18–Mar 4
AsparagusFeb 18–Mar 4

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 26Mar 18Apr 4Oct 29Nov 10Nov 29
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 6Mar 3Mar 22Nov 6Nov 25Dec 22

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 Northport 2 S (USW00073801) sits 3.9 miles from the center of Tuscaloosa at 150 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 Tuscaloosa, AL?

The average last frost date in Tuscaloosa is March 18, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 4.

When is the first frost in Tuscaloosa?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 10. One year in ten it arrives before October 29.

How long is the growing season in Tuscaloosa?

About 239 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Tuscaloosa?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 25 to April 8. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Alabama

All 33 cities in Alabama