Elba, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 9median date
First fall frostNov 21median date
Growing season257 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Elba compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elba falls between February 14 and March 31, a 45-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 14.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 257-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 25 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Dothan, AL, 69 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 14 |
| 50% (median) | March 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 21 |
| 90% (late) | December 14 |
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 Elba, AL
Elba, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 9, first frost Nov 21, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Plant for fall: Nov 7 to Dec 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elba, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 9 – Mar 16 | Sep 26 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Okra | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Basil | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 16 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 7 – Dec 12 |
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 Enterprise 4 W, AL weather station, 21 km away (elevation 338 ft (103 m)).
Frost dates near Elba
- New Brockton Mar 9 · Nov 21
- Jack Mar 17 · Nov 16
- Enterprise Mar 9 · Nov 21
- Opp Feb 28 · Nov 28
- Brantley Feb 28 · Nov 28
- Kinston Mar 4 · Nov 26
- Glenwood Mar 17 · Nov 16
- Dozier Feb 28 · Nov 28
- Coffee Springs Mar 23 · Nov 7
- Samson Mar 23 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elba, AL?
The median last spring frost in Elba, AL is March 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elba, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Elba, AL?
About 257 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elba, AL?
Elba, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.