Frost dates for 35809 — Huntsville, AL
Last spring frostApr 4median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season209 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Huntsville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Huntsville falls between March 18 and April 20, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 209-day growing season is longer than 7% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later 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 78 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 18 |
| 50% (median) | April 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Huntsville, AL
Frost dates for 35809 — Huntsville, AL — last frost Apr 4, first frost Oct 30, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 9
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Huntsville, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 7 – Apr 11 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Basil | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Owens Cross Roads 3s, AL weather station, 21 km away (elevation 591 ft (180 m)).
ZIP codes in Huntsville: 35801 35802 35803 35804 35805 35806 35807 35808 35809 35810 35811 35812 35813 35814 35815 35816 35824 35893 35894 35895 35896 35897 35898 35899
Frost dates near Huntsville
- Brownsboro Apr 4 · Oct 30
- Ryland Apr 4 · Oct 30
- Normal Mar 24 · Nov 8
- Gurley Apr 4 · Oct 30
- Owens Cross Roads Apr 4 · Oct 30
- Meridianville Mar 30 · Nov 4
- New Market Apr 7 · Oct 28
- Paint Rock Apr 4 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Huntsville, AL?
The median last spring frost in Huntsville, AL is April 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Huntsville, AL?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Huntsville, AL?
About 209 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Huntsville, AL?
Huntsville, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.