Clay, AL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 4median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Clay compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Clay falls between March 16 and April 22, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 15.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 11% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 72 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Birmingham, AL, 31 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 15 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Clay, AL
Clay, AL frost dates — last frost Apr 4, first frost Nov 1, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 9
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Clay, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 7 – Apr 11 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Basil | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Pinson, AL weather station, 8 km away (elevation 607 ft (185 m)).
Frost dates near Clay
- Pinson Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Palmerdale Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Trussville Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Margaret Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Remlap Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Alton Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Springville Mar 26 · Nov 10
- Morris Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Moody Apr 4 · Nov 1
- New Castle Apr 4 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Clay, AL?
The median last spring frost in Clay, AL is April 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Clay, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Clay, AL?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Clay, AL?
Clay, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.