Empire, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 30median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season219 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Empire compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Empire falls between March 10 and April 16, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 22 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 219-day growing season is longer than 24% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 73 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Birmingham, AL, 38 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 10 |
| 50% (median) | March 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 22 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 Empire, AL
Empire, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 30, first frost Nov 4, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Transplant outside: Apr 13 to May 4
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Empire, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 2 – Apr 6 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Basil | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Jasper, AL weather station, 29 km away (elevation 486 ft (148 m)).
Frost dates near Empire
- Sipsey Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Sumiton Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Dora Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Sayre Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Burnwell Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Bremen Apr 6 · Oct 29
- Cordova Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Warrior Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Graysville Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Kimberly Apr 4 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Empire, AL?
The median last spring frost in Empire, AL is March 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Empire, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 22.
How long is the growing season in Empire, AL?
About 219 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Empire, AL?
Empire, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.