In Birmingham, the average last spring frost is Mar 23 and the average first fall frost is Nov 8, a growing season of about 230 days (zone 8a). Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 9 and move them outside from Apr 6. Plant garlic Nov 15 to Nov 22, one to two weeks after the first fall frost.
Birmingham at a glance
- Last spring frost
- Mar 23 (average)
- First fall frost
- Nov 8 (average)
- Frost-free season
- About 230 days
- Hardiness zone
- 8a (USDA)
- Weather stations
- Birmingham AP, AL; Pinson, AL; and Bessemer 3 WSW, AL, 1991 to 2020 normals. GrowSmart's dates are the median of these stations, to within 3 days
An average frost date means frost is still possible after it in about half of years. GrowSmart times tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil after this date, not on it.
What to plant in Birmingham this month (January)
- Start onions indoors: Jan 12
Coming up in early February: start tomatoes indoors (Feb 9), start peppers indoors (Feb 9), start eggplant indoors (Feb 9) and start lettuce indoors (Feb 9).
What to plant in Birmingham this month (February)
- Start tomatoes indoors: Feb 9
- Start peppers indoors: Feb 9
- Start eggplant indoors: Feb 9
- Start lettuce indoors: Feb 9
- Start kale indoors: Feb 16
- Start broccoli indoors: Feb 16
- Start cabbage indoors: Feb 16
- Start basil indoors: Feb 23
Coming up in early March: direct sow spinach (Mar 2), direct sow peas (Mar 2), direct sow radishes (Mar 2), transplant lettuce (Mar 9), direct sow carrots (Mar 9), start cucumbers indoors (Mar 9), start zucchini indoors (Mar 9) and start winter squash indoors (Mar 9).
What to plant in Birmingham this month (March)
- Direct sow spinach: Mar 2
- Direct sow peas: Mar 2
- Direct sow radishes: Mar 2
- Transplant lettuce: Mar 9
- Direct sow carrots: Mar 9
- Start cucumbers indoors: Mar 9
- Start zucchini indoors: Mar 9
- Start winter squash indoors: Mar 9
- Direct sow beets: Mar 16
- Transplant kale: Mar 16
- Transplant broccoli: Mar 16
- Transplant cabbage: Mar 16
- Direct sow potatoes: Mar 16
- Transplant onions: Mar 23
- Transplant cucumbers: Mar 30
- Transplant zucchini: Mar 30
- Transplant winter squash: Mar 30
- Direct sow beans: Mar 30
Coming up in early April: transplant tomatoes (Apr 6), transplant peppers (Apr 6), transplant eggplant (Apr 6) and transplant basil (Apr 6).
What to plant in Birmingham this month (April)
- Transplant tomatoes: Apr 6
- Transplant peppers: Apr 6
- Transplant eggplant: Apr 6
- Transplant basil: Apr 6
What to plant in Birmingham this month (May)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Birmingham in May. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Birmingham this month (June)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Birmingham in June. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Birmingham this month (July)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Birmingham in July. Next up: sow peas for a fall harvest on Aug 30.
What to plant in Birmingham this month (August)
- Sow peas for a fall harvest: Aug 30
- Sow kale for a fall harvest: Aug 30
Coming up in early September: sow lettuce for a fall harvest (Sep 13).
What to plant in Birmingham this month (September)
- Sow lettuce for a fall harvest: Sep 13
- Sow spinach for a fall harvest: Sep 20
Coming up in early October: sow radishes for a fall harvest (Oct 4).
What to plant in Birmingham this month (October)
- Sow radishes for a fall harvest: Oct 4
What to plant in Birmingham this month (November)
- Plant garlic: Nov 15 to Nov 22
What to plant in Birmingham this month (December)
Nothing is scheduled to be sown or planted in Birmingham in December. Next up: start onions indoors on Jan 12.
Birmingham planting calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 | Transplant Apr 6 | From Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Feb 9 | Transplant Apr 6 | From Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 | Transplant Apr 6 | From Jun 20 |
| Basil | Feb 23 | Transplant Apr 6 | From May 18 |
| Onions (from seed) | Jan 12 | Transplant Mar 23 | From Jul 1 |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 | Transplant Mar 9Fall: direct sow Sep 13 | From Apr 18Fall: from Oct 23 |
| Spinach | n/a | Direct sow Mar 2Fall: direct sow Sep 20 | From Apr 11Fall: from Oct 30 |
| Peas | n/a | Direct sow Mar 2Fall: direct sow Aug 30 | From May 1Fall: from Oct 29 |
| Radishes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 2Fall: direct sow Oct 4 | From Mar 27Fall: from Oct 29 |
| Carrots | n/a | Direct sow Mar 9 | From May 18 |
| Beets | n/a | Direct sow Mar 16 | From May 10 |
| Kale | Feb 16 | Transplant Mar 16Fall: direct sow Aug 30 | From May 10Fall: from Oct 24 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Transplant Mar 16 | From May 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Transplant Mar 16 | From May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 | Transplant Mar 30 | From May 24 |
| Zucchini | Mar 9 | Transplant Mar 30 | From May 19 |
| Winter squash | Mar 9 | Transplant Mar 30 | From Jun 28 |
| Beans | n/a | Direct sow Mar 30 | From May 24 |
| Potatoes | n/a | Direct sow Mar 16 | From Jun 4 |
| Garlic | n/a | Plant cloves Nov 15 to Nov 22 | Around Jun 15 the next year |
Dates are for one planting of each crop, from Birmingham's average frost dates. Tomatoes are indeterminate, lettuce is looseleaf and beans are bush beans. Harvest dates are when the first picking is usually ready. Garlic follows University of Minnesota Extension (see below).
Fall planting in Birmingham
Plant garlic Nov 15 to Nov 22. That is one to two weeks after Birmingham's average first fall frost of Nov 8, the timing University of Minnesota Extension recommends, so the cloves root before winter without sending shoots up. Harvest comes around Jun 15 the following summer.
Shallots: GrowSmart's plan has you plant shallot sets in fall in zone 5 and warmer, and in spring in colder zones.
Cool-season crops GrowSmart schedules for a fall harvest in Birmingham:
- Peas: sow Aug 30, ready from about Oct 29
- Kale: sow Aug 30, ready from about Oct 24
- Lettuce: sow Sep 13, ready from about Oct 23
- Spinach: sow Sep 20, ready from about Oct 30
- Radishes: sow Oct 4, ready from about Oct 29
Nearby planting calendars
Birmingham planting questions
When is the last frost in Birmingham?
The average last spring frost in Birmingham is Mar 23, and the average first fall frost is Nov 8, from 1991 to 2020 climate normals at 3 nearby weather stations. Frost is still possible after the spring date in about half of years.
When should I start tomato seeds in Birmingham?
Start tomatoes indoors around Feb 9, 8 weeks before moving them outside around Apr 6, which is two weeks after the average last frost.
What can I plant in Birmingham in fall?
Garlic goes in Nov 15 to Nov 22. For fall harvests, sow peas and kale around Aug 30, lettuce around Sep 13, spinach around Sep 20 and radishes around Oct 4.