Ralph, AL frost dates
Last spring frostMar 12median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season248 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Ralph compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ralph falls between February 22 and April 2, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 248-day growing season is longer than 76% 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 40 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Tuscaloosa, AL, 26 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 11 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 22 |
| 50% (median) | March 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | December 4 |
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 Ralph, AL
Ralph, AL frost dates — last frost Mar 12, first frost Nov 15, 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 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
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 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
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 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ralph, 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 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| 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 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 19 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 19 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| 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 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
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 Tuscaloosa Acfd, AL weather station, 17 km away (elevation 171 ft (52 m)).
Frost dates near Ralph
- Fosters Mar 12 · Nov 15
- Buhl Mar 12 · Nov 15
- Elrod Mar 12 · Nov 15
- Knoxville Mar 12 · Nov 15
- Echola Mar 12 · Nov 15
- Coker Mar 12 · Nov 15
- Northport Mar 18 · Nov 10
- Tuscaloosa Mar 18 · Nov 10
- Gordo Mar 12 · Nov 15
- Moundville Mar 17 · Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ralph, AL?
The median last spring frost in Ralph, AL is March 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ralph, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Ralph, AL?
About 248 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ralph, AL?
Ralph, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.