Frost dates for 35405 — Tuscaloosa, AL
Last spring frostMar 18median date
First fall frostNov 10median date
Growing season237 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Tuscaloosa compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tuscaloosa falls between February 26 and April 4, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and November 29.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 237-day growing season is longer than 61% 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 47 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Birmingham, AL, 74 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 26 |
| 50% (median) | March 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 10 |
| 90% (late) | November 29 |
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 Tuscaloosa, AL
Frost dates for 35405 — Tuscaloosa, AL — last frost Mar 18, first frost Nov 10, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Plant for fall: Oct 27 to Dec 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 18 – Mar 25 | Sep 15 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Okra | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Basil | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 25 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 27 – Dec 1 |
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 Northport 2 S, AL weather station, 9 km away (elevation 151 ft (46 m)).
ZIP codes in Tuscaloosa: 35401 35402 35403 35404 35405 35406 35407 35486 35487
Frost dates near Tuscaloosa
- Cottondale Mar 18 · Nov 10
- Duncanville Mar 18 · Nov 10
- Northport Mar 18 · Nov 10
- Coaling Mar 18 · Nov 10
- Peterson Mar 18 · Nov 10
- Samantha Mar 18 · Nov 10
- Fosters Mar 12 · Nov 15
- Coker Mar 12 · Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median last spring frost in Tuscaloosa, AL is March 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 237 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tuscaloosa, AL?
Tuscaloosa, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.