FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Alabama

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Jan 24 – Feb 7, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 28 in Mobile and as late as Apr 13 in Jacksonville.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
HuntsvilleJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
BirminghamJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 28 – Apr 4
MontgomeryJan 16 – Jan 30Mar 20 – Mar 27
MobileDec 27 – Jan 10Feb 28 – Mar 7
TuscaloosaJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 25 – Apr 1
HooverJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 26 – Apr 2
DothanJan 4 – Jan 18Mar 8 – Mar 15
AuburnJan 16 – Jan 30Mar 20 – Mar 27
DecaturJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
MadisonJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
FlorenceJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 3 – Apr 10
Phenix CityJan 8 – Jan 22Mar 12 – Mar 19
GadsdenJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 26 – Apr 2
East FlorenceJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 3 – Apr 10
PrattvilleJan 16 – Jan 30Mar 20 – Mar 27
Vestavia HillsJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 28 – Apr 4
AlabasterJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 26 – Apr 2
OpelikaFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
EnterpriseJan 12 – Jan 26Mar 16 – Mar 23
BessemerJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 30 – Apr 6
HomewoodJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 28 – Apr 4
AthensJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 27 – Apr 3
DaphneJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 22 – Mar 29
NorthportJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 25 – Apr 1
DixianaFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
PelhamJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 26 – Apr 2
PrichardDec 27 – Jan 10Feb 28 – Mar 7
AnnistonJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 30 – Apr 6
AlbertvilleJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 24 – Mar 31
OxfordJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 30 – Apr 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 72 Alabama cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Alabama cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Alabama?

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Jan 24 – Feb 7, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 28 in Mobile and as late as Apr 13 in Jacksonville.

When is the last frost in Alabama?

The average last spring frost in Alabama ranges from February 21 in Mobile to April 6 in Jacksonville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Alabama

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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