Madison, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 24median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season229 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between March 4 and April 8, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 25.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 229-day growing season is longer than 41% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier 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 56 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Madison shares its weather station with Huntsville, AL, 17 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 25 |
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 Madison, AL
Madison, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 24, first frost Nov 8, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Feb 24 – Mar 31 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Basil | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 31 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 29 |
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 Huntsville Intl Ap, AL weather station, 8 km away (elevation 623 ft (190 m)).
ZIP codes in Madison: 35756 35757 35758
Frost dates near Madison
- Capshaw Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Belle Mina Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Harvest Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Mooresville Mar 31 · Nov 1
- Huntsville Mar 24 · Nov 8
- Tanner Mar 27 · Nov 3
- Normal Mar 24 · Nov 8
- Valhermoso Springs Mar 24 · Nov 8
- Athens Mar 20 · Nov 12
- Toney Mar 30 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, AL?
The median last spring frost in Madison, AL is March 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Madison, AL?
About 229 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, AL?
Madison, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.