Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Saraland, AL

The average first fall frost in Saraland, AL is December 6, and the average last spring frost is February 21, giving a growing season of about 292 days.

Plan your garden around Saraland, AL's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.

Last Spring Frost

February 21

Safe Mar 15 Typical Feb 21 Risky Jan 25

First Fall Frost

December 6

Safe Nov 15 Typical Dec 6 Risky Jan 5

Growing Season

292 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 9a

Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.

Data: NOAA station MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US, 21.6 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Saraland Compares

Saraland's typical last spring frost (Feb 21) comes earlier than in 94% of the 72 Alabama cities we track.
Its 292-day growing season is 56 days longer than the Alabama median of 236 days.
Saraland shares its NOAA weather station with Prichard (9 km away), so their typical frost dates are the same.
August is the warmest month (average high 92°F) and January the coldest (average low 43°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Dec 27 – Jan 10	—	Feb 28 – Mar 7	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Dec 13 – Dec 27	—	Feb 28 – Mar 14	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Dec 13 – Dec 27	—	Mar 7 – Mar 14	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Jan 24 – Jan 31	Feb 28 – Mar 7	Feb 28 – Mar 7	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Jan 31 – Feb 7	Feb 28 – Mar 14	Feb 28 – Mar 7	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Jan 24 – Jan 31	Feb 28 – Mar 14	Feb 28 – Mar 7	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Feb 28 – Mar 14	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Jan 24 – Jan 31	—	Mar 7 – Mar 14	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Jan 24 – Jan 31	—	Mar 7 – Mar 14	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Feb 21 – Mar 7	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Feb 21 – Mar 7	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	Oct 11 – Oct 25	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	Oct 11 – Oct 25	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	Sep 27 – Oct 11	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	Oct 25 – Nov 1	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Jan 31 – Feb 14	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Jan 31 – Feb 7	Oct 4 – Oct 11	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Feb 7 – Feb 14	Sep 27 – Oct 4	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	Sep 27 – Oct 11	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Jan 3 – Jan 17	—	Jan 31 – Feb 14	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	Sep 13 – Sep 27	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	Sep 27 – Oct 11	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Jan 17 – Jan 31	—	Oct 25 – Nov 8	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	Sep 27 – Oct 11	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Dec 13 – Dec 27	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Nov 8 – Nov 22	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	Mar 7 – Mar 21	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Jan 10 – Jan 17	—	Feb 28 – Mar 7	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Jan 31 – Feb 14	—	Oct 11 – Oct 25	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Dec 27 – Jan 10	—	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Jan 31 – Feb 14	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Dec 27 – Jan 10	—	Feb 21 – Feb 28	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Dec 27 – Jan 10	—	Feb 21 – Feb 28	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	Feb 28 – Mar 14	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Jan 24 – Jan 31	Feb 28 – Mar 14	Feb 28 – Mar 7	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	Feb 28 – Mar 7	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Jan 24 – Jan 31	Feb 28 – Mar 14	Feb 28 – Mar 7	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Feb 28 – Mar 14	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Feb 28 – Mar 14	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in Saraland, AL?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US station, the last spring frost in Saraland typically falls around February 21. A cautious gardener might wait until March 15 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while January 25 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Saraland, AL in fall?

The first fall frost in Saraland typically arrives around December 6. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 15; in milder years it can hold off until January 5.

How long is the growing season in Saraland, AL?

Saraland's average frost-free growing season is about 292 days, running from the typical last spring frost (February 21) to the typical first fall frost (December 6).

What USDA hardiness zone is Saraland, AL in?

Saraland, AL is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Subtropical to frost-free — heat, not cold, is the main limit on what you can grow.