Frost dates for 36701 — Selma, AL
Last spring frostMar 8median date
First fall frostNov 18median date
Growing season255 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Selma compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Selma falls between February 15 and March 28, a 41-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 8.
- The median last frost is 15 days earlier than the Alabama median of Mar 23.
- Its 255-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 574 Alabama places with a regular frost season (state median 231 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 Montgomery, AL, 74 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 15 |
| 50% (median) | March 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 18 |
| 90% (late) | December 8 |
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 Selma, AL
Frost dates for 36701 — Selma, AL — last frost Mar 8, first frost Nov 18, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 14 to Dec 28Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Dec 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Selma, AL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 8 – Mar 15 | Sep 23 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Okra | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Basil | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 15 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 4 – Dec 9 |
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 Selma, AL weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 148 ft (45 m)).
ZIP codes in Selma: 36701 36702 36703
Frost dates near Selma
- Sardis Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Tyler Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Jones Mar 8 · Nov 18
- Marion Junction Mar 21 · Nov 5
- Orrville Mar 21 · Nov 5
- Plantersville Mar 8 · Nov 18
- Minter Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Autaugaville Mar 21 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Selma, AL?
The median last spring frost in Selma, AL is March 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Selma, AL?
The median first fall frost is November 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Selma, AL?
About 255 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Selma, AL?
Selma, AL is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.