Marion, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 19median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season235 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Marion compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Marion falls between February 28 and April 7, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 28.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 235-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 51 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Tuscaloosa, AL, 68 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 90% (late) | November 28 |
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 Marion, AL
Marion, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 19, first frost Nov 9, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Marion, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Basil | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 26 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Marion Junction 2 Ne, AL weather station, 22 km away (elevation 200 ft (61 m)).
Frost dates near Marion
- Newbern Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Marion Junction Mar 21 · Nov 5
- Greensboro Mar 17 · Nov 11
- Uniontown Mar 21 · Nov 5
- Brent Apr 2 · Nov 2
- Plantersville Mar 8 · Nov 18
- Faunsdale Mar 16 · Nov 14
- Gallion Mar 16 · Nov 14
- Moundville Mar 17 · Nov 11
- Safford Mar 21 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Marion, AL?
The median last spring frost in Marion, AL is March 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Marion, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Marion, AL?
About 235 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Marion, AL?
Marion, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.