Gainesville, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 12median date
First fall frostNov 13median date
Growing season246 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Gainesville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gainesville falls between February 21 and April 1, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 246-day growing season is longer than 74% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 45 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Tuscaloosa, AL, 76 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 9 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 21 |
| 50% (median) | March 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 13 |
| 90% (late) | December 1 |
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 Gainesville, AL
Gainesville, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 12, first frost Nov 13, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Dec 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gainesville, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 19 | Sep 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Okra | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Basil | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 19 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 30 – Dec 4 |
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 Gainesville 2 Ne, AL weather station, 3 km away (elevation 108 ft (33 m)).
Frost dates near Gainesville
- Panola Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Boligee Mar 19 · Nov 8
- West Greene Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Emelle Mar 12 · Nov 13
- Epes Mar 20 · Nov 9
- Clinton Mar 19 · Nov 8
- Eutaw Mar 19 · Nov 8
- Livingston Mar 20 · Nov 9
- Aliceville Mar 24 · Nov 8
- Forkland Mar 16 · Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gainesville, AL?
The median last spring frost in Gainesville, AL is March 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gainesville, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Gainesville, AL?
About 246 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gainesville, AL?
Gainesville, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.